Article  #4 - "Ebola drains already weak West African health systems"

As briefly mentioned in my previous post, one of the current international crises that is of the growing concern for all is the Ebola virus which has been ravaging Africa. Despite all the fighting and terrorist threats in the Middle East, this widespread disease has still garnered global attention because of the high mortality rate and fear of it becoming airborne. 

The virus has spread most rapidly in the West African states of Sierra Leone and Liberia. In West Africa, fruit bats are considered a delicacy and are also "considered to be the virus's natural host," which contributed to its initial spread in the area. As of now, there is no known cure or proven vaccine and the virus can be passed from person to person via body fluid. 

The Ebola virus has not exclusively ravaged West Africa just by the illness and death it has caused, but also but the attention and resources it has taken away from others in need. Global and nationwide efforts have been solely focused on Ebola, leaving people in the area who need treatment for malaria and other serious disease left with no where to go. 

Many hospitals are not taking any other patients than those infected with Ebola, leaving any pregnant women with little to no places to give birth and even children on the brink of death infected measles or malaria. This is another unfortunate unforeseen consequence of this Ebola outbreak. Liberia specifically is at risk for water-borne diseases because of the rainy system under way.

The Ebola outbreak is an issue that has received high publicity and attention worldwide. The question is raised of how much the United States should do in regards of helping this underprivileged nations in dealing with this crisis while still taking care of our already numerous international and domestic commitments. 

Source: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-29324595