I watched an episode of Frontline from August (I think) about the ebola situation in one of the west african countries (forget which). To transport they had vehicles that had been closed up in the back...presumably to give the drivers some measure of protection.
How do dozens of outbreaks over 40 years die out, why aren’t millions already dead?
Because the outbreaks occurred in remote villages separated by distance and culture. Easily contained and controlled because the village is essentially decimated and those who get it can't travel long distances easily.
This is why it's a problem now. It's loose in urban environments where people CAN travel easily and quickly...via planes, trains and automobiles. Millions will die.
Your cliche about it being totally small towns doesn’t really wash for the 40 years of outbreaks , and why aren’t millions dead now, infact, why haven’t millions died in the past?