Bryan Betty: Ebola - could it become a global pandemic?

Ebola - what is it, and could it become a global pandemic similar to the likes of Covid?    What is Ebola and why is this outbreak dangerous?    It’s a very severe viral illness that causes fever, vomiting, bleeding, and organ failure.    Up to 50% of patients die.    It’s spread by contact with body fluids such as blood or saliva.    This is a rare sub-type with no specific vaccine or treatment, unlike previous outbreaks of the more common Zaire strain.      Why is Ebola a problem in Africa?    Most outbreaks are in Central Africa as the virus comes from animals such as fruit bats found in tropical forests.    Many of affected areas have poor healthcare, shortages of hospitals, health workers, and poor protective equipment.    Political instability and conflict complicate dealing with outbreak.    Community mistrust and traditional burial practices can spread Ebola, as bodies are still infectious.       Could Ebola become a global pandemic like Covid? Should we be concerned?    It’s highly unlikely as Ebola is much less efficient at spreading.      There are three key reasons for this:    Ebola spreads by direct contact with body fluids, Covid spread though air and coughing – therefore it’s more infectious.    Covid can spread with no symptoms. Ebola can only spread when symptoms become apparent.  People become very sick very quickly and do not move around, which limits spread.  Basically, a global pandemic occurs when people move around/travel and spread the virus, and Ebola’s severe symptoms limit this spread.    A vaccine for this strain is probably about six months away.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.