Western Africa Ebola epidemic (2014) is the "largest in history," and has killed many hundreds of people (p. 1). Formerly known as Ebola hemorrhagic fever, Ebola virus disease was first identified near the Ebola River, for which the disease is named. Symptoms of the disease may not be present for up to three weeks due to the incubation period of the virus. Moreover, symptoms are general and resemble those of other diseases, making definitive diagnosis difficult before taking laboratory tests. Symptoms include headache, fever, muscle pain, vomiting, and diarrhea. Hampton (2014) notes that fatality rates are as high as ninety percent. Those who survive will develop antibodies that can last up to ten years (CDC, 2014). However, there are as of yet no known cures or vaccines (Brumfield & Wilson, 2014). Although fewer than 2400 cases were recorded until this year, over 700 individuals have died from the disease already...
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