Indeed. I'm surprised at how little coverage this is getting, especially compared to developments in the Middle East. What's the worst that can happen there? ISIS takes over? Who cares? They can always be bombed into oblivion just like the Taliban were.
On the other hand, if Ebola goes unchecked in west Africa, who says it can't reach the West? And how, exactly, is it going to be stopped now? We can't rely on overworked, underfunded Medicines Sans Frontieres volunteers to fix this for the world. I'm convinced slow mobilization of Western resources now to fight Ebola could be seen as a historic mistake by future generations. I urge everyone to spread awareness of this issue as far and wide as possible, and in the meantime, make a donation to Medicines Sans Frontiers in lieu of a political campaign contribution.
So far what has stopped Ebola from spreading and turning into a major epidemic is (paradoxically) the sheer fact that it is so
virulent. The infected simply dies before they can spread the disease to that many people. So you need a slightly less virulent version with the infected living longer for this to be a major epidemic.
Is the current outbreak of a less virulent version? (it doesn't seem so, from what I read)
Basically even if it does get to the West, it likely wont be a major problem. Off course it will be terrible for those affected and their families, but the consequences will be smaller than an ISIS victory in Iraq.