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Frontline Goes Inside Ebola Outbreak

Courtesy of Frontline

Some 4,000 people in West Africa have been confirmed infected with Ebola since the outbreak started in March. Around half have died of the disease. The World Health Organization says responders need to be prepared for an “exponential increase” in cases in upcoming weeks. The director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says the Ebola outbreak is “spiraling out of control.”

Tonight’s Frontline documentary, "Ebola Outbreak," goes to an emergency hospital in Sierra Leone run by Doctors Without Borders and provides an intimate look at the devastating human toll of the outbreak. Producer and Director Wael Dabbous spent two weeks on the ground in Sierra Leone this past July working on the documentary. He joined Dakota Midday and discussed his experience in the epicenter of the Ebola outbreak.

Frontline airs tonight on SDPB1 Television at 9 pm, Central; 8 pm, Mountain.

Karl was born to northeastern South Dakota crouton farmers, but was orphaned as a toddler during the Great Salad War (1966-67). Rescued by a flock of chickadees, he grew up in the woodlands of Sica Hollow. Legends of a bird boy living in the trees attracted the interest of renowned ornithologist and amateur bandoneon repairman Dr. Vogel Gehrke. With a handful of suet, Dr. Gehrke coaxed the timid boy down from the trees. He adopted him, named him Karl and taught him not to molt on the carpet. Dr. Gehrke’s book, The Bird Boy of Sica Hollow, was a best seller and Karl became a minor celebrity and teen idol. He appeared as a guest star on numerous television programs, most notably an awkward role on The Love Boat as the boyfriend of Captain Stubing’s daughter, Vicki. After critics panned his 1980 album, Bird Boy Does Disco, Karl retreated from public life and returned to Sica Hollow. Living in an isolated tree house, Karl achieved a reputation as a mystic. Pilgrims and seekers from around the world came to ask him about the meaning of life and for vinaigrette recipes. Growing tired of answering questions, he climbed down from his tree, shaved his massive white beard and took a job as the host of SDPB Radio’s Dakota Midday where he could ask the questions instead. After three years in that position, he ran out of questions and became host of Jazz Nightly instead. Karl makes his home in Vermillion with his charming wife Kari and three delightful children, Kodey, Kasey and Spatula. His hobbies include reciting the alphabet, combing his hair and doing volunteer work with delinquent songbirds.
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