Ebola – the most popular and discussion inducing social issue right now.

As it is known for its deadliness, Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) has been spreading around epidemically around West Africa, including Liberia and Sierra Leone.

The reason for the big fuss about the disease is that the current epidemic of EVD is the most severe case since its discovery in 1976, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. There has been more than 4500 deaths confirmed by the World Health Organization (WHO), as of Oct. 17.

Its fatality rate on average is almost 50 to 60 percent, according to the WHO. One out of two people infected with Ebola will die. In comparison, the Spanish flu in 1918 had a fatality rate of only two-and-a-half percent.

On Oct. 15, the United Nations publicly declared an international health emergency, stating that the world has less than 60 days to completely recover from the epidemic – or humanity would “fail entirely” if not stopped. The fact that the whole world is stated as a victim signifies the seriousness and potential outcome of this issue.

The consequences for this disease make it not only a life and death situation, but also an environment issue. According to an LA times article, a single Ebola patient treated in a U.S. hospital will generate eight 55-gallon barrels of medical waste a day. EVD Medical wastes are recommended to be incinerated. However, as incineration is illegal in California and at least seven other states, storage and disposal will be a major problem.

If EVD ever spread through the U.S., travel advisories, passenger screening, immigration control, and other restrictions would become mandatory. According to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, these measures will have repercussion for economic trade and businesses. This is why sending humanitarian aid over to West Africa will ultimately save us from the possible nation- wide epidemic here at the U.S.

To sum up these facts, it is critical to understand that people in West Africa do not have the same benefits of medical treatment as people in other countries. Americans should know every single fact about this issue and keep in mind that they might be the next victim.