Virus outbreak rages

While the news cameras were focused on Schiavo and Pope death stories, a more serious death story was developing off-camera: an outbreak of the Marburg virus (close relative of Ebola) in Angola, which has claimed about 95% of its victims so far (around 250-300 as of an hour ago). I give a lot of credit to health professionals (and epidemiologists, and most recently, anthropologists) who are flocking to the area despite the risks to themselves.

This outbreak poses a number of logistical challenges, including the possibility that (run-down) hospitals are serving to spread the disease rather than stop it, and the fact that space-suit-clad professionals are viewed with suspicion by the natives, who aren't even sure that they are people. This NPR story from this morning's Morning Edition explains some of the attempts being made to better understand and accommodate local culture while keeping the virus contained -- efforts include adapting the local burial rituals to modern health measures, as by letting families gown up and put beloved possessions into the body bags before they are closed.

A good place to send your prayers and positive energies right now.