Ebola Virus & Outbreak In West Africa: Deadly, Contagious Disease Spreads To Libera, Sierro Leone; 80 Deaths So Far
The recent Ebola outbreak in West Africa has raised concerns about its potential to spread even further as the death toll continues to rise.
As many as 125 people in at least three countries have contracted the disease, according to the World Health Organization, and at least 80 people have died.
"Every day we're reading about it in the newspaper, hearing about it on the radio, and wondering when it's going to come here," Mossa Bau, of Dakar, Senegal, said to USA Today. "Everyone is very scared because, really, it's a dangerous disease and no one has the means to stop it."
According to reports, the Ebola outbreak initially was limited to some towns in South Guinea, but it has since spread quickly. At least one person in Libera, which neighbors Guinea, is said to have died already. The USA Today also said that at least five people have died from Ebola in Sierra Leone as well.
One of the reasons why the outbreak has sparked such concern at this point is because it is extremely contagious and deadly.
A number of people and groups have been mobilizing with a goal of stopping the outbreak. Ester Sterk, who serves as a doctor for Doctors Without Borders, stressed the importnce of isolation when it comes to preventing the disease from spreading.
"It's very important that sick patients be isolated and receive treatment in isolation wards, and also if there are people that have been in contact with patients when they were sick, they need to be closely followed during the period of incubation (which lasts between two and 21 days)," she said, according to USA Today. "This is to cut the so-called transmission chain."
What do you think about the outbreak? Do you think it will be contained soon? Let us know what you think in the comments section below.
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