Ebola in US: Obama campaigns in Maine, avoids Ebola controversy

President Barack Obama has sought to mobilise Democratic voters in the race for governor in Maine while keeping his distance from the state's bubbling controversy over its Ebola quarantine policies an

By: Editorial Team | | Updated: October 31, 2014 1:14 pm

President Barack Obama has sought to mobilise Democratic voters in the race for governor in Maine while keeping his distance from the state’s bubbling controversy over its Ebola quarantine policies and the nurse who has defied them. Ebola has emerged as a hot-button issue in the November 4 midterm elections, with Republicans criticizing the Obama administration for what they characterize as a disorganized response to the appearance of the virus in the US Four people have been diagnosed with Ebola in the country, and one has died. (Read: Quarantine for Ebola — what is it?)

The elections feature races for governor in 36 states, although those contests have been overshadowed by competitive congressional races. The fight for control of the Senate is the biggest prize in the midterm elections, with Democrats struggling to fend off a Republican takeover. The Republicans need to pick up the six seats to take control of the Senate and they are widely expected to expand their majority in the House of Representatives. That would give them control of Congress for the two years Obama has left in office. (Read: Ebola virus signs and symptoms you need to watch out for!)

Obama, whose slumping approval has been a drag on Democrats in the fiercest congressional elections, has limited his campaign appearances mostly to races for governors in states where he remains popular. His appearance in Maine landed him in the epicenter of a debate between the federal government and several states over how health care workers returning from Ebola-stricken nations should be monitored. The White House has pushed back against overly restrictive measures, including proposals for travel bans or isolation measures adopted by some states. (Read: 10 reasons that make the Ebola virus deadly for humans)

Obama, who has been praising health care workers who have volunteered to fight Ebola in West Africa, had no plans to visit with Kaci Hickox, the nurse who worked with Ebola victims in Sierra Leone and is now challenging Maine’s requirement that she isolate herself for 21 days. Hickox returned to the U.S. last week but has shown no symptoms of the disease. She has been under what the state has called a voluntary quarantine in remote northern Maine, but yesterday she went on a bike ride with her boyfriend. Obama has urged states to consider how their policies will affect the willingness of other doctors and nurses to volunteer for Ebola work in the afflicted nations of Sierra Leone, Liberia and Guinea. (Read: What is the Ebola incubation period?)

Why Ebola virus is mutating rapidly?

A recent research related to the Ebola virus disease (EVD) states that the Ebola virus is rapidly mutating, making it difficult to diagnose and treat. A study conducted on the initial patients being infected with the virus in Sierra Leone revealed more than 400 genetic modifications of the Ebola virus, which might prove detrimental for the ongoing treatment measures but also to the vaccines that are under clinical trials for future treatment of the Ebola virus.

The Researchers at the Broad Institute in Massachusetts and Harvard University warn that the Ebola virus is constantly undergoing mutation. The findings show that the future treatment options including vaccines as well as diagnosing of the disease will be very difficult and less effective as mutations will continue. As of now, the researchers have analysed around 99 Ebola viral genomes. Since the Ebola outbreak in West Africa in March, more than 1550 people have died of the Ebola virus disease. Earlier in August (24th), a new viral strain of the Ebola virus different from the one being observed in West Africa was detected in those from Democratic Republic of Congo, posing threat to million of lives all over the world. Read more about Ebola virus is mutating rapidly — say scientists

With inputs from PTI

Photo source: Getty images

Published : October 31, 2014 12:35 pm | Updated:October 31, 2014 1:14 pm

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