How did this huge Ebola outbreak occur in West Africa in 2014?
The Ebola virus can be contracted by coming into contact with a host, and it is spread through bodily fluids. Fruit bats, for example, are considered a delicacy in [parts of] Africa. If consumed, a person may become infected by the virus. An infected individual may infect others who are tending to them or in their proximity, many of whom live in cramped quarters with several family members. Because that geographical region is so heavily populated, it became more easy for this strain of Ebola to spread more quickly. In the past, Ebola outbreaks occurred in more isolated regions of Africa, making it easier to contain than now.
To date, the current strain is the most deadly and is mutating more rapidly than previous strains; people and animals have a greater likelihood of becoming infected during the current outbreak. Unfortunately, there’s a lot we still don’t know about the virus. Often, the media is misleading. For all we know, this strain may mutate to become airborne; in fact, it is in certain instances. Projectile vomiting and forced sneezing my aerosolize these bodily fluids, allowing tiny particles to hang in the air.
Other factors contributing to the spread of the virus in this populous part of the country include lack of education on the disease itself, poor sanitation, lack of qualified healthcare workers, inadequate protective gear, interference of religious beliefs in proper handling of infected persons and items, and a higher rate of transmission due to more travel as technology and infrastructure continue to branch out (e.g. transportation enabled by the construction of more highways, or greater number of airlines and flights).
