The outbreak in Texas seems to be over.  The incubation period of 21 days has passed.  A total of 177 people were monitored in the Dallas region and have now been released.  About 200 passengers who flew on the Cincinnati flight with the nurse also underwent monitoring.  All have been cleared.

There have been four cases of Ebola in the US.  Three in Texas with one death, including the two nurses and the Liberian national who came through our customs with the disease.  The fourth is the doctor in New York who worked for Doctors without Borders.  He is showing improvement and is in stable condition.

In case you think we’re done, though, please consider this.  Thirty seven point three percent of those who contract the disease do not live.  That means if you contract it, there is only a 62.7% chance of survival using today’s medical knowledge.

As of this date 13,268 people have contracted the disease, and 4,960 of those passed away.  Majority of these are in Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea, all in west Africa.  It does not seem to be abating over there, yet.

The stats seem to be worse for caregivers (health workers).  Currently, their death rate is 56.6%.  I’m not sure why it is so much higher; but I wonder if it has to do with contracting more of the virus, if it has to do with their immune system, or could it be the way they were raised.

Britain has taken a more hands on approach to this disease by building a treatment center in Sierra Leone.  It opened this week.  They plan to build five more.

Here in America our President today asked Congress for $6.18 B for Ebola funding.  Also, the CDC announced that they are requesting more personal protective equipment kits for rapid deployment to hospitals.  They wish to have a stockpile ready.  Required in the kit are a fluid-resistant gown, gloves, a hood, shoe coverings and a face mask.