Ebola Virus & Outbreak 2014: Disease Continues to Spread Across 3 African Countries
The deadly outbreak of the Ebola virus has reach severe proportions according to relief workers.
A statement made by Medecins Sans Fronteieres (MSF), or Doctors Without Borders in English, released yesterday gave light to the severity or the epidemic.
It read that Ebola cases have been identified in more than 60 locations across Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia. The statement also said that the they are the only organization treating the patients and that this is complicating matters.
"The epidemic is out of control," said Dr. Bart Janssens, MSF director of operations in the statement. "With the appearance of new sites in Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia, there is a real risk of it spreading to other areas."
MSF said that it has treated 470 patients, related to the Ebola outbreak since March of this year. According to Time, the group has sent more than 300 staff members to work in West Africa and has sent more than 40 tons of equipment and supplies. However, as more and more cases arise, the organization fears that they can't keep up. They said that they will need "massive deployment of resources" from medical aid agencies and governments alike to contain the outbreak
According to CNN, this Ebola outbreak is unlike other outbreaks in the past and is quickly growing out of control. Ebola outbreaks usually occur in remote areas and are easier to contain. This one has already spread across three different countries, and researchers have yet to find the cause.
There are people who have been infected and are traveling, unknowingly carrying the virus. It can take anywhere from two to 21 days after exposure for someone to even begin to feel sick.
According to the Mayo Clinic, symptoms of the Ebola virus can include fever, severe headache, joint and muscle aches, chills, sore throat, weakness. Over time they may worsen to include nausea and vomiting, bloody diarrhea, red eyes, raised rash, chest pains, stomach pains, severe weight loss and bleeding from all orifices.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has said that the latest figures show 567 cases with 350 deaths in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone with most deaths occurring in Ghana, but rates are increasing in Sierra Leone.
WHO has agreed to hold a regional meeting in Ghana on July 2 to address the outbreak.
According to The Associated Press, this has been the most deadly Ebola outbreak ever. The virus has no known cure and kills over 90 percent of those infected with it many within 10 days within an average of 10 days.
Normally a person has to be very sick before they can pass along the virus to others. It also isn't easily airborne, and it doesn't live long on surfaces. Only a small amount is needed for the virus to come in contact with a person before they are effected. Medical workers must take extreme precautions covering their entire bodies before making contact with patients infected with the virus.
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