While the Ebola virus has gotten a lot of attention recently, the public must not let down its guard against other health issues such as influenza, obesity, and the effects of tobacco use, said Dr. Ted Tweel, acting director of Three Rivers Health District that includes Gloucester and Mathews counties.

Tweel said Tuesday that Ebola is a very important issue, but “we must not lose sight” of some of the other major health problems that remain in our society.

Ebola is a rare, yet often fatal disease that occurs in humans and other primates, such as monkeys, gorillas and chimpanzees, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Ebola was first discovered in 1976 near the Ebola River in what is now the Democratic Republic of the Congo. This most recent outbreak, which began in the spring, is centered on the West African nations of Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone. As of Oct. 10, there have been 8,400 reported cases and 4,033 deaths, according to the CDC.

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