Ebola epidemic is taking on massive proportions
Ebola epidemic is reaching alarming proportions
07/16/2014
The Ebola epidemic in West Africa is becoming ever more frightening. Already over 600 people have fallen victim to the dangerous infectious disease. The fight against the plague is difficult, also because many people are superstitious or believed that the disease is done by itself.
„Ebola! Ebola! Ebola!“
Helpers of the Red Cross, currently traveling in the Ebola areas of West Africa, are besieged by children in their cars, as is often the case. But instead „Red Cross!“ According to a news agency dpa, the little ones are suddenly calling „Ebola! Ebola! Ebola!“. For example, in Kailahun, in the extreme east of Sierra Leone, where the epidemic is particularly rampant. „I believe that people are beginning to realize that Ebola really exists and that the disease really exists“, said Katherine Mueller, the spokeswoman for the organization in Africa, during a trip to the region. At least the name of the dangerous virus is now also familiar to children.
Superstition and voodoo spells are powerful opponents of doctors
This was not the case for a long time, as it is the first Ebola epidemic in this part of the continent. Superstition, miracle doctors, and voodoo spells have done the rest, and have been arguably the most powerful opponents of doctors since the outbreak of the disease last March. „Here in Sierra Leone, many people first turn to traditional healers for treatment“, so Mueller. „Often it is too late for them to come to one of the wards.“ The Red Cross only had to pick up four new bodies a few hours earlier. „In the early afternoon, we received a call that seven new patients were being taken to the treatment center.“ It is feared that there are many more people with symptoms who are either hiding from their relatives or living in remote areas that have not been detected.
No reliable treatment known
Symptoms that can occur after an incubation period of two days to three weeks in infected people are similar to those of incipient flu. For example, there is a sudden fever, muscle and headache, a general weakness and sore throat. In the course of the disease, renal and hepatic function also decrease and symptoms such as bloody diarrhea, nausea and vomiting as well as bleeding from the mucous membranes, bleeding in the skin and increased internal bleeding can occur. About 60 to 90 percent of the infected die from the disease. The pathogen is transmitted via body fluids and can therefore easily be passed on to healthy people. A reliable treatment method is not yet known; Therefore, physicians are usually limited to strengthen the immune system of the infected and prevent further spread.
Over 600 people have already died
For a long time, the neighboring countries Guinea and Liberia were hit hardest by the virus, but now Sierra Leone has the most disturbing numbers. According to the WHO, between July 8 and 12 alone, 85 new Ebola cases were recorded in all three countries, of which 49 were from Sierra Leone. In that short period, 68 patients died throughout the region, 52 of them in the former British colony. According to statistics, the total number of cases in West Africa has increased to 964. 603 people have already died. „And I do not think we have reached the pinnacle of the epidemic“, said Mueller.
Experts with pessimistic forecasts
Even her colleagues from „Doctors Without Borders“ (MSF) and the United Nations agree with the pessimistic forecast. „There are still people who claim that the disease does not exist and others still think that it does not need to be treated“, said Manuel Fontaine, the UNICEF Regional Director for West and Central Africa. „If we want to break Ebola's transmission chain, then we have to do more than treat patients. We have to knock on every door, visit every market, and talk about Ebola in every church and mosque.“ However, not only urgently needed more staff and partners, but also financial resources.
Epidemic can last for months
Despite all efforts and measures, observers expect it to take weeks or even months to bring the epidemic under control. The population is often downright hostile to the helpers. For example, Guéckédou in Guinea warns more than 20 villages that deny access to medical professionals „Doctors Without Borders“. Physician Hilde de Clerck, who was already working for MSF on Ebola outbreaks in Congo and Uganda, reported: „In Macenta, Guinea, 15 members of a family have died of Ebola.“ Family members had their relatives, including children, hiding from the helper's access. Only the head of the family and his wife could be saved. „It is not enough to convince individual members of a family of our work, we must win the trust of each one.“
Helpers also suffer - physically and mentally
Of course the sick and their families suffer the most, but also for the helpers the work in the operational areas is not easy, neither physically nor mentally. As physicians and nurses reported, the futuristic suits that cover the whole body are hard to bear with the high temperatures in the region. But above all, dealing with Ebola patients is emotionally very difficult. „Patients are highly scared“, so de Clerck. „We are the last humans to touch them and many of them are asking us to hold their hands.“ It was a difficult decision to deny a dying one last touch. But Ebola is an invisible, lurking under the skin opponents who can only be defeated by hard measures. (Ad)
Picture: Aka