Why You Should Not be Afraid of the Ebola Virus

Written by G. Lim

Ebola has currently been one of the most trending issues worldwide. Mostly because it is a disease that gives a very high chance of dying and the average human is really afraid of death (who isn’t?). The Ebola Virus has been present around 1976 (that’s pretty long) and has many outbreaks ever since. The current outbreak originated from West Africa and is now spreading worldwide. Here are some reasons why Ebola is something we should not be afraid of.


Ebola can only be transported by direct contact. For example, if you drink water drank by an Ebola patient; you eventually get the virus too. You can also get the virus by injecting it into your body. Although I assume no one is crazy enough to do that. But then, there is a Russian scientist that injected herself with the virus back in 2004 *face palm*. So unless you do not kiss random people on the streets or go mad and inject yourself with the virus, you are relatively safe from the virus (Yay!).

Some of us think that having Ebola means receiving an invitation by Death and you cannot turn it down. No, Ebola can be cured and it does not mean automatic death. There are many Ebola survivors and the rate of death by Ebola at present is on average 50%. So if you ever find yourself with the virus, you have a 50% chance of survival! Better there is than none!

Scientists are currently researching about possible antivirals and vaccines for Ebola. There are approximately around more than ten antivirals being tested and most have reportedly been effective. I won’t be enumerating them because it will probably take too much space. Never mind, here are some: Favipiravir, Brincidofovir and Lamivudine. I wonder how they make up those names since they just sound so weird when you pronounce them. Imagine the hassle of the doctors who are being introduced to these antivirals and how long it takes for them to actually remember the names, I pity them. There are also vaccines. I won’t mention anymore because the names are getting weirder. Another reason is that since there are survivors, they have the antibodies and if they are willing enough to save a life, they can donate their blood or something and the person whom blood was donated is practically saved! Unless you don’t have the same blood type and you cannot receive the blood. (Awwwww)

So basically, Ebola is something that we should not be extremely afraid of since it isn’t like dengue where you cannot stop the mosquitos from biting you at all. Unless you carry Baygon everywhere and spray on the mosquitos shouting “DIE!! DIE!!” But all in all, Ebola will eventually have an official vaccine and cure like Dengue and it will eventually just be like one of those extreme diseases but you don’t die of them. Fin~~