Blog 7: Ebola Outbreak in Guinea From Consumption of Bats

Summary:
In Guinea, which is a nation located in West Africa, there has been an Ebola outbreak that killed a total of 63 people. Ebola is an infection and fatal disease, that cause fever and severe internal bleeding. The government of Guinea has decided to put a ban on bat soups, because bats are believed to have caused the disease. Bats are a popular food choice in West Africa, and it is often consumed as a choice of meat. Besides the direct consumption of bats, eating fruits contaminated by bat saliva or feces, along with consumption of apes that died of Ebola are thought to be the cause of the Ebola outbreak in Guinea.

Analysis:
This article shocked me to be completely honest. I was not aware that bats were consumed as a choice of meat in West Africa, let alone anywhere in the world. The outbreak of the Ebola virus is very frightening, considering the fact that this deadly and infectious disease was caused by consumption of bats. This shows how countries all over the world can be faced with potentials of catching different diseases and viruses based on their practice, such as food choice. I believe that the ban of bat soup placed by the government on Guinea was a step towards the right direction to prevent anymore outbreaks. However, whether the ban will be effective is unknown. For some people, bat meat may be the only source of meat that they have depending on many factors such as their geographical location or economic situation.

Link:
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/03/27/world/africa/guinea-government-bans-bat-soup-to-halt-ebola-outbreak.html?ref=science&_r=0