THE NEW EBOLA
It is very pathetic that a lot of souls are being lost out of the disease called Ebola virus (Ebola
virus disease), otherwise known as EBOLA, which has become epidemic. This disease first
surfaced in 1976 and went into hiding until 1992. It got lost once again and the world relapsed
into it in 2002. It then came up again in 2011 and vanished until December 2013 up to now. Two
thousand, two hundred and ninety-six (2,296) people out of four thousand, two hundred and
ninety-three (4,293) suspected cases have so far perished through this recent onset of the disease.
There are five types of EBOLA; being, the Sudan ebolavirus, Zaire ebolavirus, Bundibugyo
ebolavirus, Reston ebolavirus, and Tai forest ebolavirus. Out of these five, it is the Sudan
ebolavirus and Zaire ebolavirus which always pop up to cause such serious affliction.
A few key facts about the Ebola disease are as follows: the Ebola virus disease was formerly
known as Ebola haemorrhagic fever when it was first discovered in 1976 in two simultaneous
outbreaks at Nzara in South Sudan, and Yambuku in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The
latter was in a village situated near the Ebola River from which the disease takes its name. The
Ebola virus disease outbreaks have a fatality rate of up to 90%. The virus is mostly transmitted to
people from wild animals and it spreads in the human population through human to human
transmission. Fruit bats of the pteropodidae family are considered to be the natural and primary
host of Ebola virus. Severely ill patients require intensive care. No licensed specific treatment or
vaccine is available for use in people or animals.
It is very important for us to note the signs and symptoms of the Ebola disease. This disease is
often characterized by the sudden onset of fever, intense weakness, muscle pain, headache and
sore throat. This is followed by vomiting, diarrhoea, rash, impaired kidney and liver function
and, in some cases, both internal and external bleeding. Humans are infectious as long as their
blood and secretions contain the virus. The incubation period, that is the time interval from
infection with the virus to onset of symptoms, is two to twenty-one days.
Now you may be wondering what the New EBOLA is. Relax and continue reading. The New
EBOLA is a sharp contradiction to the Ebola virus disease. It actually seeks to rather transform
lives but not to deform and destroy lives as the Ebola virus disease does.
The New Ebola is an acronym. The “E” stands for Effectiveness, where “Effectiveness” means
producing an intended purpose in life with hard work and determination. It also means being
skilled and effective in your own field of speciality. It is through this that one may achieve what
one seeks for in life.
The “B” stands for Boldness. To be bold means being brave to solve pertinent issues in the
family, society, and the world over. If you are bold, you are always ready to take a risk so as to
make things work out for you. Do you fear to do something you have ever wished to do? I want
to challenge you to be bold and do that thing and you will be shocked how much you will
achieve.
The “O” is for Originality. Do not imitate anybody in life: no matter how famous, skilful or
brilliant they may be. Be as original as possible. Your originality brings the best out of you. You
can learn from others but do well not to be like them. Be yourself.
The “L” in the new EBOLA represents being Lucrative. Are you profitable to yourself, the
society and to others? What do you have to share with the world? You must be the oil palm tree
of the world so that no part of you will go waste. By this you will attract others to you and you
will continue to enjoy life through the benefits that others derive from you.
Are you affable? Affable is what the “A” in EBOLA represents. If you are not approachable, you
are a loser. If you always repel others, you stand the risk of developing a heart attack. Your
affability will open wide the gate of salvation for you.
You are therefore admonished to be the New EBOLA. Do not be the Ebola virus disease which
will deform and destroy your family, society and the world. You should rather be the New
EBOLA to contribute to the positive transformation of your family, society and the world at
large.
God be with us all.
Akwasi Boakye
Delicious de Diplomat
