Throughout history, there have been many illnesses that have wreaked havoc on many lives. Diseases occur often and will continue to do so, leaving mankind to find a cure. The new sickness that has arisen is a deadly virus that first originated in the West African countries in 1976: Ebola. Of the 13,567 people who have been infected with Ebola since March, 4,951 people have died. These numbers continue to rise every day, with experts predicting that there may be 10,000 new cases a week by December, according to International Business Times. Ebola positive people have been brought into the U.S., but the the country should not continue to accept Ebola infected patients until it improves its regulation.

Ebola has been the center of the media’s attention in the U.S. and many other locations worldwide. According to the International Business Times, in 1976, when the Ebola virus first showed, only 318 people were infected. The virus has spread exponentially through contact with blood or bodily fluids from one person to another. The fight against the spread of Ebola in West African countries has been joined by nurses and doctors from all over the world, including the U.S. However, these West African countries do not have the same advancements in technology and hospital care as America does. As the number of infections rise, so do international health concerns. Despite the need for stringent regulation, such regulation has not been seen. Due to this, there is a huge threat on Americans’ healths because of the lack of regulation seen in America’s health system in regards to Ebola treatment. A man named Thomas Duncan, who traveled from Liberia to Texas, was actually Ebola positive. Duncan posed as a huge biohazard for fellow plane passengers, as well as family members, and even infected two nurses who were supposed to be able to treat such patients. Those who come from an area where Ebola is prevalent must be tested to see if they are Ebola positive. If many Ebola infected patients are brought to American hospitals more hospital staff members could possibly be infected by these other patients.

An obvious lack of regulation by these healthcare officials is evident, especially in the case of the two nurses. Such careless mistakes have come with repercussions, and the risk of infecting more people with Ebola cannot continue. These doctors and health officials are suppose to prevent the virus, not help spread it. If treatment for Ebola patients in the U.S. is wanted, then Americans should be promised perfectly quarantined facilities and that no mistakes will occur. These mistakes might be small, but the effect can endanger other nurses, doctors, and even citizens.

One of the two nurses who were infected by Thomas Duncan, named Amber Vinson, cared for Duncan in Dallas, Texas. Vinson took a flight from Dallas to Ohio and back before she was diagnosed with Ebola. Officials had to monitor 164 people who were believed to have had come in contact with Vinson. By doing so, Vinson put many lives in danger, and this situation could occur again if security continues to be this lax. Since symptoms of Ebola occur within 2 to 21 days of initial infection, these health officials are not even aware of the possibility of catching Ebola and are not checked thoroughly for the infection.

The U.S. should not allow Ebola infected patients into the country because it endangers many Americans. If bringing Ebola infected patients to the U.S. to receive treatment is wanted by Americans, then health officials must take measures to increase regulation. They must tighten their security to monitor those who leave and enter facilities containing Ebola, and make sure that no mistakes are made, so that further contamination of the Ebola virus is minimal. Until then, the U.S. cannot allow further admittance of people from Ebola prevalent areas without testing, and until they can ensure complete and proper treatment, as well as monitoring.