The perception we have of a danger to our health rarely corresponds to the real threat to which we are exhibited.
Historically, towards the end of the 1960s, there were the first studies in this regard that they clarified some aspects relating to biological risk in the population.
Has been demonstrated how the real riskthat is, the number of negative events on the total of those possible, almost never coincides with the perceived risk. Some health threats are overestimated, while others underestimated.
It is interesting to note that there are specific factors that constantly influence our perception, such as the fact that the perceived risk is greater the more the event can be catastrophic and at least the topic is known. For example, many people fear the plane crash more, while in reality the car is much more dangerous.
The concept of catastrophicity It is however subjective and depends on the emotional impact caused by the situation: if it is a global catastrophe and which can also affect future generations, then the risk will be perceived as greater.
As for the knowledge of the topic, it has been seen how the events of which in reality is known are the ones perceived as the most risky, such as the situations that depend on unknown causes or factors, not directly visible, such as radiation or virus transmission.
The novelty effect can also influence the perception of health riskfor example the discovery of a new disease, etc. It is also important to consider how the knowledge that we develop on certain issues derive from the mass media and not from scientific sources, therefore we often rely on distorted information, which are amplified precisely to arouse alarmism and/or to make news.
A further factor that modifies the perception of risk is personal and/or family experience, such as the deceased relatives for a certain disease, etc.
Consider these premises, regarding theEbola We can say that it is a fatal virus, of which the general population had never heard of until recently, of which a vaccine or a cure are not known, and relating to which the media continue to show images of deaths on the streets and to shout at each new case.
At the same time, few really know the possible transmission routes and the actions that the international health authorities are undertaking to limit their diffusion. So, his degree of catastrophicity is high, while knowledge is scarcefor which it is natural that for most of the population the perception of the risk of the Obola is much greater than its real risk.
The disease from ebola viruspreviously called “hemorrhagic fever”, is a serious, often fatal disease. In fact, a mortality rate of about 50%is reported. It affects men and primates, it is not known its origin but it is thought that the fruit bats are the main tanks.
The virus was recognized the first time in 1976 in Congo and Sudan, it has been currently present for a few months in the outbreaks of epidemic in different States of West Africa (especially Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone).
Initially the transmission took place with the manipulation of dead and infected animals, while the contagion between human beings takes place exclusively through direct contact (i.e. of wounds and/or mucous membranes) with blood and body fluids (feces, urine, sperm, vomiting, saliva) of already sick people, that is, with evident and conclaimed symptoms, or with contaminated objects.
The signs and typical symptoms of ebola They are sudden fever, intense tiredness, muscle pain, headache, sore throat, followed by vomiting, diarrhea, internal and external bleeding. The incubation period ranges from 2 to 21 days, in which the patient is not contagious.
The most at risk subjects are certainly the families of already sick people and the health workers, who must be adequately informed about the methods of prevention and on the methods to protect themselves; In addition, operators involved in burial and hunters in the areas of the rainforest can also be exposed to contagion, but in both the latter cases, reference is made exclusively to western Africa, where the hygienic-health conditions are very precarious and not even remotely comparable to the rules put in place daily in Europe.
Certainly, the ebola virus It is not transmitted with a handshake, attending public places, with the use of money or eating tropical fruit, swimming in a swimming pool, with mosquito stings, etc.
Even a journey to the African continent has an extremely low risk if there are no direct contacts with people who already manifest the symptoms, or with the bodies of the deceased.
Precisely for this reason, the exaggerated alarmism that is being occurred in Italy and, more generally in western countries, compared to the risk of contagion from ebola virus.
Very few cases have been recorded in Spain and the United States, all of the healthcare personnel who had edited patients from Africa, all of which have gone successful (except for a missionary) and not only one case in our country.
The Italian Ministry of Health, also following WHO directives in this regard, is monitoring the situation, evaluating suspicious cases, preparing adequate borders checks and in transit places, e.g. airports.
As repeatedly reiterated by doctors and researchers, the possibility of cases of contagion in Italyless than less than a real epidemic; If, however, citizens got sick, they would receive all the most adequate care, with a good chance of remission.
It is not conceivable that, due to irrational fears and wild disinformation, often propagated for political or advertising purposes, the population lives in terror and manifest senseless attitudes, similar to the hunting for the narrow -hand typical of the great plagues of medieval memory.
Therefore, It is unfounded to be afraid of people who return from travel to Africa, refugees who land on the Sicilian coasts, immigrants who live in reception centers and color people in general, to travel by plane or to consume foreign foods.
Concerning in advance in an exaggerated way is not of any usefulness, on the contrary, it increases anxiety and negative thoughts, makes us live with a strong unmotivated discomfort, and pushes us to behaviors of “collective psychosis” in view of a danger that will most likely even reveal itself.
Instead, it is important to disseminate correct information on the subject and all any updates, guaranteeing in case of need tools and means to effectively deal with the problem.
