Calamity List

The top three troublesome stories of the week:

1. Ebola
The Hot Zone by Richard Preston was written over twelve years ago, but it's as relevant as ever. People tend to dismiss troublesome issues like Ebola when everyone stops writing and talking about it, but unfortunately the flesh-eating disease is still around.

Link to latest AP article

The Congo region is seeing a major outbreak of the Ebola virus. From the article:

At least 167 people have died in the affected region over the last four months, and nearly 400 have fallen ill, according to Congolese health officials. But experts suspect many of the cases could be shigella, a diarrhea-like disease, or typhoid. At the early stages, both diseases have symptoms similar to Ebola.

2. West Nile
Another disease of the moment that won't step out of the limelight once the hype is over. This outbreak is a bit closer to home in Illinois.

Link to latest information from the Illinois Dept of Health

According to authorities, a victim of West Nile died in early September, bringing the total to three deaths in Illinois in 2007 due to the disease. A total of 28 people have been affected statewide this year.

3. Earthquakes
The Pacific Rim is hopping lately - especially in the Indonesian region. Four significant earthquakes in the past 24 hours - 8.4, 7.8, 7.1, 6.2.

There was even a three meter-high tsunami that came ashore, causing injuries and significant property damage.

Link to more Indonesian earthquake information

Stay safe out there!