“Drastic Action” is Needed to Curtail Ebola in Africa – WHO

Posted by African Examiner Latest Headlines, News Thursday, June 26th, 2014

Against the background of its rapid spread and attendant causality, “Drastic action” is urgently needed to contain the spread of deadly Ebola in West Africa, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).

In a report BBC (Online), it is reported that nearly 400 people have died in the outbreak which started in Guinea and has spread to neighbouring Sierra Leone and Liberia.

The WHO said it was “gravely concerned” and there was potential for “further international spread”.

The outbreak started four months ago (February) and the spread rages at very fast pace.

So far, there have been more than 600 cases and around 60 per cent of those infected with the virus have died.

Ebola, a haemorrhagic fever, has no cure and it is spread by contact with the fluids of infected people or animals, such as urine, sweat and blood.

Most of the deaths have been centered in the Southern Guekedou region of Guinea.

WHO has sent 150 experts to the region ((West Africa) to help prevent the spread of the virus but admits “there has been significant increase in the number of daily reported cases and deaths”.

The agency regional director, Dr Luis Sambo, said: “This is no longer a country-specific outbreak, but a sub-regional crisis that requires firm action.

“WHO is gravely concerned of the on-going cross-border transmission into neighbouring countries as well as the potential for further international spread.

“There is an urgent need to intensify response efforts…this is the only way that the outbreak will be effectively addressed.”

Another charitable organization – The Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) has already warned that the Ebola outbreak is out of control.

It raised concern that the epidemic would spread further unless there is a stronger international response.