The Ebola Epidemic

January 1, 2016

Gr 7 Up-Goldsmith, a health care practitioner and experienced science writer, begins her investigation of Ebola with the 1976 outbreak in Zaire (now known as the Democratic Republic of the Congo) and scientists' realization that they were dealing with a new type of incredibly deadly hemorrhagic fever. Subsequent chapters explain how the virus works so effectively to sicken its human hosts and shed light on the recent 2014 epidemic in Guinea, Sierra Leone, and Liberia. The efforts of health care workers and humanitarian organizations to care for the sick and contain the spread of the disease are described, as is the unfortunately less-than-adequate response of the World Health Organization. Particularly interesting is the information about the development of medical advancements in response to the epidemic. Quick and cost effective screening tests, various curative medications, a vaccine, and even innovative personal protective gear are in the works. Goldsmith also addresses the ethical questions accompanying the rapid development of new medicines: Who should receive the medication first? Is informed consent (necessary to implement clinical trials) even possible when Western doctors are working with patients in developing countries? Chapters are well organized, and the writing style is clear and direct-compelling without resorting to sensationalism. Sidebars with related facts as well as photographs add visual interest, and the back matter is thorough. VERDICT It is safe to say that all libraries currently lack up-to-date material on Ebola. Those looking to rectify the situation and update their teen nonfiction collections should add this title.-Ragan O'Malley, Saint Ann's School, Brooklyn, NY

Copyright 2016 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

Starred review from November 1, 2015
Welcome to the you-better-be-Brave New World of emergent viruses. Much of this crisp and informative book chronicles the Ebola outbreak that savaged Liberia and parts of neighboring countries in September 2014. Goldsmith, a veteran health/science writer, knows how to invest readers in her story. Here, with the help of a swarm of photographs and maps, she explains how the virus found its way to Liberia--an engrossing story in itself--which necessitates a little background information. Goldsmith delivers science in a serious yet welcoming tone (no one gets talked down to); pathology can be fascinating in its own right, but Goldsmith makes the development of vaccines and rapid-result Ebola tests just as absorbing. There is good material on Doctors without Borders as well as on the locals who took part in the effort to educate people about the nature and transmission of the virus. There is also a pithy explanation of viruses--"Not really alive, yet not quite dead, viruses are the zombies of the microscopic world"--including their ability to shift shape, which makes designing a vaccine so difficult. Meanwhile, a creepy image of the virus snakes across the pages, innocent-looking as spaghetti or yarn, deadly as a blue-ringed octopus. An arresting, illuminating, and unlikely-to-be-forgotten story. (Nonfiction. 12-18)

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December 1, 2015
Grades 7-10 The 2014 outbreak of Ebola in West Africa may have caused widespreadand, in some areas, overblownpanic about the disease, but in many ways, medical response to the epidemic was underwhelming. This comprehensive guide begins with the story of the initial discovery of the virus, in 1974, and elaborates on the nature and dangers of the disease before going into the most recent occurrences and their aftermaths. Though it doesn't make light of the very real and devastating effects Ebola can have on families and entire communities, this is also careful not to contribute to sensationalism: Ebola is a dangerous virus, yes, but not a particularly efficient one, with diseases like the flu killing many more people each year. Goldsmith cites an editorial that compared the Ebola paranoia in the U.S. to that of fearful attitudes during the AIDS crisis before discussing the initial, inefficient international response to the incident and the ongoing search for a cure. A solid, valuable look at a still-mysterious illness and a tumultuous time in recent history.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2015, American Library Association.)