Chief virologist infected with Ebola

In Sierra Leone, the Ebola Chief Virologist has become infected with the deadly virus

07/24/2014

The Ebola epidemic in West Africa also poses considerable risks for local helpers. This is what the chief virologist in Sierra Leone has learned first-hand. The 39-year-old Sheik Umar Khan has apparently been infected with the deadly virus in contact with those affected. The physician had been admitted to the hospital of Kailahun after a positive pathogen detection, reported the news channel „BBC“ citing the Health Minister of Sierra Leone Miatta Kargbo.

According to the news agency, the minister has told the fate of Ebola chief virologist „Reuters“ strongly touched. The physician treated more than 100 people infected with Ebola and was one „National hero“, emphasized Miatta Kargbo. She will do everything in her power to ensure that he survives, said the Minister of Health. The risk of infection in the treatment of Ebola patients is generally a considerable challenge for the auxiliary staff, which can often be barely overcome due to inadequate local hygiene conditions.

High risk of infection for the auxiliary staff
The news station „BBC“ Not only reports the Ebola chief virologist's infection, but also dozens of nurses at the government hospital in Kenema City who went on strike after three of her colleagues died suspected of Ebola. The events illustrate how high the risks are in caring for the infected. The viruses can be passed on to other people via feces, blood and other body fluids. This is particularly problematic because diarrhea, vomiting, as well as internal and external bleeding are considered typical Ebola symptoms. In the care of those affected, therefore, a contact with the body fluids is difficult to avoid.

Ebola epidemic out of control?
The Ebola epidemic in West Africa is the largest outbreak of the deadly disease so far. The health authorities and aid organizations are increasingly facing their limits due to the large number of infected people and the adverse conditions on the ground. Already a good one month ago warned „Doctors Without Borders“ that the Ebola outbreak was out of control. Almost 1,100 people have been infected with the Ebola virus in Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia since the beginning of the epidemic, and 660 have died as a result of the infection, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported over the weekend. In Sierra Leone, where the chief virologist has also become infected with the virus, there have been 454 infections and 206 deaths. (Fp)