User:HIST619g/sandbox

Ebola Epidemic in Historical Perspective
The 2013-2015 Ebola virus disease epidemic is the most extensive outbreak of Ebola since the virus was first identified in 1976

how does it compare to other epidemics in terms of fatalities and cases? http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2014/10/141025-ebola-epidemic-perspective-history-pandemic/ (number has changed since publication)

Ebola epidemic's popular image as reflective of perception of Africa since 18th century as associated in Western minds with "sickness, death, and disaster," according to historians of colonialism in Africa. These historians have also cited popular associations of HIV with Africa. (Vongsathorn p 43)

Quarantine, which has a history dating back to the Middle Ages and isolation in Leper colonies, has been used extensively during this epidemic. Many types of quarantine were used: Isolation of individuals who have been exposed, isolation of those who were found to be infected, and general quarantine of U.S. military personnel who deployed to the area, upon redeployment.

Where did it start in sub-Saharan Africa? 1976 - Richard Preston The Hot Zone. Filoviruses were first isolated for biowarfare purposes in 1989, according to Ken Alibek (ran Soviet program - bioweapons since 75). As a Biosafety level 4 virus, it can only be contained at a few facilities.

humanitarians invited in? criticized for not showing up early.

militarization of response? strategic reasons for wanting to improve relations between US military and Liberia. US military response only in Liberia. Weapons or not? Security for public health workers. Attacks on public health workers. AFRICOMM? Liberia more hospitable.

USAID and CDC- was sent

Implications of the 2013-15 epidemic as a case study for future policy and research. Vaccine development program. https://www.bcm.edu/news/grants/usaid-grant-emergency-smart-pod-ebola Build on local health care infrastructure. http://www.rescue.org/blog/EbolaLessons WASHhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/WASH

Mistrust of outsider/technology - Idea that Ebola chlorine spraying was spreading disease Lack of efficacy in spreading disease Liberia's own history... history of colonialism

Involvement of local leaders seen as success Speaking on 27 January 2015, Guinea's Grand Imam, the country's highest cleric, gave a very strong message saying, "There is nothing in the Koran that says you must wash, kiss or hold your dead loved ones," and he called on citizens to do more to stop the virus by practicing safer burying rituals that do not compromise tradition.[232]

Integration of health care orgs, better training for health care workers. Alchemical humanitarianism.

Fear of Ebola - perception of lack of control, media messaging that out of control perception that health care workers not trained to contain like 1790s panic over yellow fever don't know what to do plague in san francisco - stigma http://www.ucpress.edu/book.php?isbn=9780520226296

Broader effects: effect on pregnancy, childbirth - healthcare. effect on education (schools closed)

Research areas (UN report) - alchemical humanitarianism A. Livelihoods/agriculture: access to finance, loan payments, savings, impact on                   business revenue, cross border trading, employment, trade/markets, impact on the household e.g. food security, income generation. B. Access to health services: clinics/hospital functionality, availability of services, e.g. pregnancy, sexual/reproductive health, perception of health practitionersâ attitudes, access to child health, cost of health care, alternative health services available to communities. C. GBV/ Protection: incidence and recurrence of GBV, types of violence, ability to                        access protection, HIV testing and treatment, GBV reporting and referral mechanisms, D. WASH: access to services, maintenance of facilities, water practices, hygiene and sanitation practices especially hand washing.