NEW YORK – Until Thomas Eric Duncan brought Ebola into the United States, the disease was largely dismissed as an exotic pestilence of concern mainly to impoverished West Africa, and those who dared to volunteer there. And its transmission to two nurses responsible for Duncan’s care – likely resulting from several breaches of medical protocol – has focused intense scrutiny on US preparedness for a possible outbreak.
纽约——直到托马斯·埃里克·邓肯将埃博拉病毒带回美国前，这种疾病被视为在贫困非洲和胆敢付非工作的志愿者中传播的异国瘟疫而基本不受重视。而两名负责照顾邓肯的护士感染病毒——可能因为违反了几项医疗规定——导致人们不得不认真审视美国是否为可能的疫情爆发做好了准备。美国总统奥巴马甚至在上周宣布任命“埃博拉沙皇”来负责管理病毒在美国的检测、隔离和控制。