WHO boss Ebola is still spreading

WHO boss: Ebola is still spreading

12/10/2014

Although the situation in the countries most affected by the Ebola epidemic in West Africa has improved, the dangerous virus is still spreading. The World Health Organization (WHO) now warns against false optimism in the fight against the deadly disease.

Risk to the world remains
The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned against false optimism in the fight against Ebola. According to a news agency dpa news agency, WHO chief Margaret Chan told BBC news broadcaster that the virus is still spreading faster in West Africa than it can fight. As long as the dangerous epidemic continues, the risk to the world persists. However, Chan emphasized that the situation has improved in the worst affected countries.

International community has not responded fast enough
There is progress in Liberia, especially in the region where Ebola erupted in December 2013. The epidemic was also less severe in neighboring Guinea and Sierra Leone than a few months ago. „But we still see a large number of cases.“ It is said that the helpers would have to chase the virus. The WHO Director-General admitted that WHO and the international community had not responded quickly enough to the Ebola outbreak. „We have not seen what has developed before our eyes“, so Chan.

So far over 17500 Ebola dead
In the three most affected countries, Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone, so far 6,187 people have died of Ebola. According to the WHO, 17,517 people were infected. However, experts assume a high number of unreported cases. A cure or a safe vaccine against the deadly infectious disease is still not available. Patients usually develop Ebola symptoms such as fever, diarrhea, nausea and internal and external bleeding after a short time. (Ad)