Ebola epidemic unstoppable

Ebola: More infections and deaths in West Africa

07/11/2014

For months, the Ebola epidemic has been rife in West Africa. 44 new infections and 21 deaths were reported to the World Health Organization (WHO) this week alone. While the number of new infections seems to be reversing in Guinea, there is currently a significant increase in the spread of the deadly disease in Liberia and Sierra Leone.

Just under a month ago, the aid organization had „Doctors Without Borders“ Already warned that the Ebola epidemic in West Africa was completely out of control. Since then, the number of infections and deaths has skyrocketed. A total of 888 cases, including 539 deaths, have so far been reported to the WHO, although there is a significant under-reporting and the number of actual patients is likely to be significantly higher. Because the mistrust of the population towards doctors and health workers is great, so that those affected or their relatives often refuse an investigation.

Focal points of the outbreak currently in Sierra Leone and Liberia
Since the beginning of the week, the WHO has reported numerous new cases and deaths from health ministries in the three West African countries of Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone. Guinea registered a new infection and two deaths. Liberia registered eleven new cases and four deaths. Sierra Leone reported 32 new cases and 15 deaths. The current focus of the Ebola outbreak, according to the WHO „Kailahun and Kenema in Sierra Leone and Lofa and Montserrado in Liberia.“ In total, 409 Ebola infections and 309 Guinea deaths have been reported since the beginning of the Ebola epidemic. In Liberia, 142 people fell ill and 88 people died as a result of the infection. Sierra Leone reported 337 infections and 142 deaths.

Enlightenment of the population crucial
In addition to the isolation of patients and the disinfection of their homes, education also plays a crucial role in preventing further spread of the disease, reports the Swiss Red Cross. The Red Cross of Guinea therefore mobilizes and trains volunteers to educate the population about prevention measures. The health care system of Guinea, according to the help of the auxiliary staff, is unable to cope with the epidemic, especially as cholera and measles have also broken out in the country. In addition to the training of volunteers in Guinea, also in the neighboring countries corresponding auxiliary forces are trained, in case the epidemic spreads despite the countermeasures.

Extremely high risk of infection
The Ebola virus is transmitted via contact with body fluids, which, in view of the clinical picture, leads to an extremely high risk of infection. Because those affected develop a so-called haemorrhagic fever with severe diarrhea, vomiting and the heaviest internal and external bleeding. When dealing with patients, the contact with body fluids can hardly be avoided. Without appropriate precautions, the pathogens can spread extremely quickly. In West Africa, it is also the first Ebola outbreak, which is why the health authorities were poorly prepared and the population had no experience with the deadly virus. Only luck seems to be the fact that the current pathogen strain is less deadly than previous viral strains, in which up to 90 percent of the infected died. (Fp)