Question

Compare the public reaction to a recent emerging epidemic – for example ebola in 2014, swine flu in 2009, or SARS in 2003 – to the reaction to AIDS when it was first identified in the early 1980s.

Answer 1

For more four decades we are facing several epidemic diseases (because they originate from some specific region). These are virus borne diseases and affecting human population negatively. Ebola is a deadly virus disease originated from Africa continent in 2014 and having variable mortality rate from 25 to 90 percent. Swine flu (H1N1) is an epidemic of pigs originated from Mexico but eventually become pandemic in 2009, affected million of people around the globe and killed more than 18 thousand people.

People become horrified when the found outbreak of SARS originated from China in 2003 and it affected the several people (respiratory serious disorder) but luckily it was controlled early and caused more than 700 fatalities.

Unlike these diseases, AIDS is due to HIV and can be transmitted through body fluid from one person to another originated from animals and affecting human population, it affect the immune system of an individual and make them weaker. It is a STD and transmit through physical contacts (from mother to fetus also)It is not as infectious as virus borne diseases mentioned about but it is a disease for more than 40 years now with no known medicine so far. This disease caused great fear of infection and mental stress due to insuffient information that time.

Whenever people face any epidemic or pandemic, it causes panic situation to the general population and it affect their travel plan as it is not recommended to travel during such conditions. Complete information can calm the general population with proper execution of the plan to stop the disease further. Surely these diseases can cause fear, depression and other cognitive changes in the people of affected areas.