WHO, West Africa – The Ebola virus is currently running rampant through Africa, relief workers on the ground have said. The World Health Organization (WHO) has already reported 567 cases and 350 deaths since epidemic began in March.
“The epidemic is out of control,” Dr. Bart Janssens, director of operations for Doctors Without Borders, said in a recent statement. “We have reached our limits.”
Normally, Ebola virus outbreaks are somewhat confined to remote locations. This makes the virus easier to contain. However, this time, the Ebola virus has infected patients in 60 locations in Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia.
Researchers believe that this outbreak is breaking off into so many locations because of the the closeness to the jungle where the virus was first found and various cities, such as Conakry.
The Ebola virus can remain dormant in the body for a while, sometimes for up to 21 days. Once the symptoms become visible, however, they come down hard.
First, the virus exhibits flu-like symptoms. This includes headaches, fevers, and tiredness. After that comes diarrhea and vomiting.
Finally, the Ebola virus shuts off the blood’s ability to clot. This can lead to internal and external hemorrhaging, which then leads to death.
Currently, Doctors Without Borders is the only aid group helping people with the deadly virus. They have been able to send over 300 staff members and 40 tons of equipment, but it still isn’t enough to properly fight the virus.
“Despite the human resources and equipment deployed by MSF in the three affected countries, we are no longer able to send teams to the new outbreak sites,” the organization said.
Ebola normally has a 90 percent fatality rate. That number is much better during this outbreak, with only 60 percent of patients dying from the Ebola virus. While that is significantly less than normal, it could still be a lot better, said Doctors Without Borders.
This current outbreak will be considered finished after 42 days with no new Ebola cases. Report Source: WHO.
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