Ebola
Subtitle: an evolving story
By: James Lyons-Weiler
Publisher: World Scientific
Published: 2015
Language: eng
Number of pages: 221
ISBN-13: 9789814675918; 9789814675925
Subjects: Transmission; Government policy; Prevention; Ebola virus disease
Description: "The book is a narrative of the unfolding of the Ebola virus disease outbreak from a scientific view point. The author provides an analysis of the scientific basis of public health policies that have influenced the public's, and the medical community's, abilities to understand the virus and the disease. This is done in the context of providing insights into the biology of the virus, and exploring open questions, including its likely modes of transmission. The author has included citations from the scientific literature and the press, as well as quotes from expert interviews. The book will help sort out the fact from fiction, given the confusion that arose after the virus arrived in the US. The author used his objective research skills and knowledge of evolutionary genetics and molecular biology to find out what was known, and what questions remained unanswered, and even what questions remained unasked. Written in an accessible style, it is intended for the educated general public, scientists, policy makers, health care workers, and politicians. It delves into the problems of trying to derive a logic-based understanding of a highly lethal emerging disease in 2014, when research funding cuts have gutted research institutions, and when public health institutions really were woefully unprepared. It is a highly distinct narrative analysis that is sure to stimulate new research and thinking in public policy. It will inform thousands of people of the nature of the virus, how it works, in terms they are likely to be able to understand. It will allow others to rapidly catch up with the story of Ebola." -- Publisher's description
Notes: Includes bibliographical references and index.
Table of contents: title: Origins of the epidemic : The wee beastie ; The molecular battlefield; title: How well do we understand the 2014 Ebolavirus? : Phylogenies are not data ; Evolution caught red-handed; title: Ways in which Ebola Guinea may differ from past outbreaks: evolution of viral phenotypes : "Going airborne" ; Shifting particular routes of transmission ; Replicating more slowly ; Asymptomatic transmission ; Change in host tissue virulence patterns, and primary mode of death; title: Biological knowledge and Ebola policy : Indirect transmissions ; MRSA indirect transmission analogy ; Doctors and nurses, the first line of defense ; Reverse white coat syndrome?; title: "How cruel is that?" : "How cruel is that?"; title: With blinded eyes; title: Are we asking the right questions and solving all the right problem(s)? : "We are prepared to handle an Ebola outbreak in the United States" ; Early diagnosis to protect the public health; title: Evolution is real: deadly consequences of dogma; title: Promising treatments : Vaccine development ; Pharmaceutical hopefuls ; Managing the spread via "Ebola-free zones" ; Treating the reservoir hosts ; Hemopurification (dialysis); title: Policy analysis : Probabilities and modes of transmission ; Self-monitoring, Self quarantine, or mandatory quarantine? ; No mutations? ; Can humans get Ebola from dogs? ; Policy assessment ; Conclusions ; Recommendations; title: A rational analysis of irrational decisions, or don't fear the reaper : Don't fear the reaper ; Fear and government policy; title: Appendix 1 : (a) Penalties for persons violating quarantine laws; title: Appendix 2: Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) clinical outcomes data form; title: Epilogue : February, 2015; title: March, 2015; title: Treating vascular leakage.