Ebola epidemic in West Africa out of control

Ebola epidemic in West Africa „out of control“

30.06.2014

The Ebola epidemic in West Africa continues to spread, with more than 360 dead. Experts already describe the situation „out of control“. A spokesperson for the Ministry of Health in Sierra Leone warned that it was one „heavy crime“ To record infected.

Infected no refuge
For months, an Ebola epidemic has raged in several countries in West Africa. Since February according to a message of the digital daily newspaper „News from Brunswick“ In Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone, the largest Ebola outbreak ever recorded killed over 360 people. According to the report, the Sierra Leone Ministry of Health warned against resorting to patients infected with the Ebola virus. As a ministry spokesman said, this is one „heavy crime“. This against the background that many infected people from a hospital in the province of Kenema have settled. Those who would take these persons into their lives committed a crime and risked the further spread of the dangerous disease.

Touching the dead may be enough for contagion
About 60 to 90 percent of the infected die from the disease. After an infection, symptoms of severe flu, diarrhea, nausea and vomiting as well as bleeding from the mucous membranes, bleeding in the skin and increased internal bleeding in the later course of the disease are manifested after initially flu-like symptoms. The pathogens can easily be passed on to the healthy with body fluids. Even the touching of the deceased could be enough for a contagion. Since no reliable treatment method is known so far, doctors are usually limited to strengthen the immune system of the infected and prevent further spread.

Many are unaware of the danger
The aid organization „Doctors Without Borders“ has the situation meanwhile as „out of control“ designated. As the organization reported, the emergence of new sources of disease poses a risk of spreading to other areas. The problem is that many people flee from the affected regions and thus promote the spread of the epidemic. In addition, it is said that many locals are unaware of the danger and often did not trust the often wrapped in futuristic protective suits doctors. The World Health Organization (WHO) takes the danger seriously and has called for it, „drastic measures“ to take action to finally contain the eruption. On Wednesday, WHO convened a special meeting in Accra, Ghana, to discuss with health ministers of affected and neighboring countries how to prevent further spread. (Ad)