


International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement
Michael T. Osterholm: What we need to contain Ebola

Ebola outbreaks have occurred in Africa on more than two dozen occasions over the past 40 years, and it was brought under control every time. This was possible thanks to reliable techniques, such as preventing direct contact with infected persons and monitoring all people who did come into contact with an infected person. Anyone showing early symptoms was put in isolation. Despite no effective treatment or vaccine, these standard approaches worked. Unfortunately, today's outbreak is very different. And unless we invest more resources in fighting it and coordinate the response across countries the outbreak will spread further. If that happens, economic and political chaos could follow....