Identified Viruses Marburg, Ebola, Rabies, Lassa, Hiv, Aids, and Smallpox

Selena Landin

Christina Carrillo

Bernardo Garcia

Sadaqut Khan        

Identified viruses

       Many emerging viruses come from Africa, and have affected Africans for centuries. Still, they were not officially identified until Americans or Europeans were affected by them. Some of these viruses include Marburg, Ebola, Rabies, Lassa, HIV, AIDS, and Smallpox. Of all these listed viruses, Ebola and AIDS will be the two main topics being explained to why it is true or what the research says about it.

       Why is this true, or what does the research tell you as to why this is true? One reason could be because of the population difference between Africans and Americans or Europeans. Another is that Americans have more proper equipment and facilities for tests to be done to find a cure. Unlike in America, Africans are clueless of a solution and can only think of sending their ill patients to the best hospital around.  The poverty difference between each other may be a conflict as to why Africans aren’t able to afford these researches as we are. In America or Europe, if one is infected by a virus, it is quickly known of it for the reasoning of much media is impacted. On the other hand, in Africa, it is unlikely for an entire community to be aware of what their people are or aren’t ill of.

       One of the examples that the book gives as to why the researches says is true is the death of Nurse Makings, from which she died of a virus of the name, Ebola, on October 19. This event occurred in the year, 1976 where Mayinga was taken care of a Roman Catholic nun that ended up dying from Ebola. Because the nun bled out over Mayinga, she became exposed to the virus causing soon later her death. Another example given by the book is the discovery of AIDS and how they are transmitted. It is said that AIDS may have jumped into the human race from African primates. It was first noticed in 1980 where a doctor discoverers that his gay male patients were dying of an infectious disease. Because AIDS are fast mutates and change, it’s difficult for vaccines to develop. AIDS are natural reservoirs of the changes in ecosystems, meaning the revenge of rainforest and may only be the beginning.