Ebola has become one of the most well-known diseases since it was discovered in 1976, largely because of how contagious it is, and its large mortality rate of up to 90%. Ebola outbreaks are mostly found in Western Africa where it was discovered. This also happens to be a location where governments tend to be unstable and great medical care is not readily available in smaller areas. The incubation period for Ebola is 2-21 days, but once a person begins to show symptoms, they are extremely contagious, and anyone who has contact with their bodily fluids is at a great risk. Symptoms include fever, vomiting, and diarrhea. There is currently no cure to this rare but incredibly deadly disease, but treating the specific symptoms of the disease can help lessen the chance of death. Proper training is required to treat patients who have ebola to try to avoid spreading the virus further.
India had a close call with the virus in 2014 during the largest Ebola outbreak to date. An Indian returning from Liberia who had already been treated for Ebola entered the country through the Dehli airport and was quarantined. The man tested negative for a blood test and had a medical certificate from the Liberian government stating that he had been properly treated and was deemed Ebola-free as the blood tests were negative. However, other tests proved that the Ebola virus was still inside other fluids. The virus did not spread, and there has never been an active case of Ebola in India.
An Ebola outbreak would be detrimental to India. With the vast population size, one aggressive case would spread rapidly in unclean areas of the country, and without much proper medical care, the disease would be extremely hard to control. In order to prevent an outbreak in India and try to stop more outbreaks throughout the world, India is prepared to sign an agreement to help fund current and potential research to develop a cure for this disease.
- Maddie Meader
