To be getting concerned about Ebola?

[Meh84]

Do you think it would reach the UK?

Everyday I'm reading more and more stories, and some of the front papers today suggest it might happen.

I'm actually feeling really worried about this right now....anyone else?

[NorwaySpruce]

Apparently this person is: mumsnet.com/Talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/2144409-Ebola?msgid=48577985

But no, I can't say I'm concerned for myself.

It is a horrible thing for people involved to be dealing with, and I can not tell you how much I admire the medics sticking with it, day after day.

But it is still pretty hard to transmit in the ordinary course of things, so my compassion and concern is directed more towards those actually suffering/at risk, than my really totally safe self.

If it mutates to the point where it's airborne, and asymptomatic during the transmission phase, I'll be slightly more concerned, but what can you do?

Medical research cannot be highly funded enough IMO, especially things like orphan drugs/diseases and obscure stuff.

[NotQuiteCockney]

It is really hard to transmit. The risk to the UK is low.

[lucidlady]

I am starting to worry a bit. It's got to Nigeria, it's bound to be in the US after that poor man died and we've had 2 suspected cases in the UK too. In all honesty I think it's a matter of time.

[Mostlyjustaluker]

Why do you think it is bound to be in USA?

[ExcuseTypos]

We had all this scare mongering with Bird Flu. For 2 years running we were all going to die of it, according to the media.

It summer time, the press have little to write about so I expect lots of articles about how it will invade the uk.

[lucidlady]

The chap who died in Nigeria was on his way to the US - he had vomiting and diarrhea on two flights en route to the US. Ebola is transmitted through bodily fluids. The chances of him being the only person on those flights heading to the US are somewhat slim I'd have thought.

[Ifyoubuildit]

I'm more concerned about antibiotic resistance to be honest.

[Meh84]

I agree about the scaremongering - the DM are great at doing that!

[steppemum]

I think the thing you have to understand is that you cannot get this by close contact with someone. It is not airborne, you cannot get it by sitting next to them on a bus/plane.

You need to exchange bodily fluids, so the vomiting man, you need his vomit to mix with your body fluids.

The reason the medics in west africa are wearing full body protection suits is not because they need they against transmission exactly, it is because the virus is so dangerous that they are going over the top to try and stay safe.

Also, the disease control has been very poor, hospital hygiene is not great. If there was a case in UK or USA, the disease control is very good, and so it could easily be contained.

Remember bird flu etc was airborne, and that epidemic didn't happen

[eyebags63]

Is it possible the virus could mutate some how and become airborne?

[steppemum]

magnificent
There was an article in the sunday times this weekend. Basically, if you are meticulous about hand washing, then you will not catch it. That actually applies to norovirus too.
wash hands before touching any food, after using toilets, when arriving home from public places etc.

At the hospital in africa, there hasn't been meticulous hygiene (wrt hand washing) which has made it very difficult for the doctors trying to deal with it.

[FreeSpirit89]

If it happens, it happens.

There's not a lot we can do about it, so why worry. Keep yourselfs safe. Take precautions where possible and live life.

We were all meant to die of bird flu, then swine flu. It's just something to scare people with to sell more papers. As other have said if it does get over here the damage would be limited, unless it mutated to airborne

[LightastheBreeze]

Just see this on the BBC news, there's going to be a COBRA meeting later

www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-28558783

[hankyspanky]

I travel to West Africa fairly regularly. I was concerned enough to raise this with my Doctor about 6 weeks ago.

I don't think speculation will help and the scare-mongering in some of the tabloids really doesn't make matters any better.

I think raising awareness of this awful disease can only be a good thing.

[clam]

"we've had 2 suspected cases in the UK too"

Erm, "two suspected cases" that were found to be clear. So that's "no cases" in the UK.

Yet.

[HowAboutNo]

I'm not hugely worried, I just feel huge admiration for the doctors in the thick of it, battling against it and obviously feel extremely sad for those who have it, it sounds horrific

It reminds me of that film Contagion and why I'm never going outside again

[gordyslovesheep]

Gosh there is a fair bit of drama on this thread ... Look it's not airborne and not in the uk. It may come to the uk but unless you roll around in medical waste it's unlikely you will catch it. COBRA meetings are fairly standard and not an indication of a forth coming zombie apocalypse

[HowAboutNo]

Should say - if you haven't seen Contagion, uh, don't. You'll never want to touch anything again

[AuntieStella]

This Ebola AIBU thread has been running for a few days now, and has a number of posts (from posters with relevsnt expertise) and useful links.

Those who are concerned might like to look at it, because it's possible not all that information will be reposted on every Ebola thread.

[FrankelandFilly]

The US citizen that died was not on his way to the US. He was heading back to Nigeria where he worked after attending the funeral of his sister who died of the disease. He was not due to travel to the US until August so there is no risk of the disease being there at present.

[Goldmandra]

AS pointed out on the other thread, the best thing we can do is make some decent donations to Medecins Sans Frontieres whose staff are on the frontline, risking their own lives and trying to contain the outbreaks.

The more resources they have, the better they can manage it.

[PittTheYounger]

i keep reading ebola and thinking

[tigermoll]

In the nicest possible way, get a grip. this is tabloid scaremongering in order to sell papers. Ebola is both frightening and 'foreign' which is why the DM et al have fastened on to it - the scary African disease that's going to come over here and kill us all. In reality, there is simply no risk to the UK population.