Initially, Ebola virus disease (EVD) appeared to be a problem of a few West African countries, but not anymore. EVD is now in America and in Europe and perhaps in other yet to be identified locations. Effectively, EVD is now a global disease. However, our response to Ebola has been more of fear filled approaches, mixed messages and poor coordination. Screaming headlines in the press do little to educate than plant more fear, often irrational fear, about the disease thus posing greater danger to efforts at curtailing and containing the disease. Misinformation about the EVD has led to attacks, with some fatal outcomes, on some health workers in West Africa, and even in the more enlightened Western countries, the hysteria (significantly fueled by media hype) that has greeted the initial cases of EVD has been largely borne out of insufficient information and communication about the nature of EVD. The whole world must face the collective challenge Ebola has posed to humanity at this time. This is not a time for apportioning blame. It is a time for doing the right thing right on time. It is time for collaboration and sharing information about any experience gained in containing the disease in some countries. It is time to provide human and material resources to affected countries and join forces to take down Ebola.
Eric Duncan eventually succumbed to this virus in the US. It is quite of concern that while he was battling for his life, his own mother country was preparing to prosecute him for "exporting Ebola knowingly" and the affected State in the US was also considering the possibility of bringing charges against him despite denials from his family that he was not aware of coming into contact with any index EVD patient back in Liberia. He didn't stand a chance to survive if survival depended on goodwill of the authorities. And he didn't survive. We must stop Ebola on fairness and justice. We must stop Ebola on equal treatment and care. We must stop Ebola by valuing the life of every person irrespective of what their circumstance might be. We can stop another Eric Duncan from dying anywhere in the world. The world has always succeeded when we pull together in the face of challenges. Therefore, to successfully stop Ebola, lots of doses of goodwill, expertise, volunteers, money and other resources are required.
