This meant that the citizens of that country were not only unaware of the danger which meant they never took steps to avoid it but just as important, were in the dark as to how to deal with a disease that kills its victims within 10-12 hours if not treated.
Esto supuso que los ciudadanos del país no sólo no fueran conscientes del peligro y no tomaran medidas para evitarlo, sino que también ignoraban cómo actuar contra esta enfermedad que mata a sus víctimas en 10 o 12 horas si no se trata.