• Question: How would go about bringing an end to Ebola?? Do you think it's an ethical answer or a scientific one??

    Asked by Tee to Angela, Claire, Ian, Robert, Sarah on 12 Nov 2014. This question was also asked by sophwebie, Beth Storry, m.c.pineapple, Enyaa.Kneeshaw_idk, Harry potter, JHoadleyy, 358chea24.
    • Photo: Angela Stokes

      Angela Stokes answered on 12 Nov 2014:


      Hi Tee
      The Ebola virus has been around for a long time. It is found in fruit bats who live normal lives despite having the virus. I think you are really asking about bringing it under control in humans in Africa. Ebola is spread by contact with bodily fluids and I think to bring it to an end there needs to be more attention paid to quarantining those affected and those who have been in contact with those affected. This is not easy as many of the families affected are less well educated.

      The answer is a scientific one now – medicine can help some of the infected and again once this outbreak is under control – a vaccine is required – but a vaccine doesn’t work if a person already has the disease.

      To eradicate the disease the only option would be to kill the carriers – these are the fruit bats, but they are not only in Africa so this would be a mammoth if not impossible task – and there are thoughts now that other animals can also carry the disease.

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