Ebola Infects Over 4,000 In West Africa
Ebola affects more than 4,000 in the three West African countries that are in the node of the epidemic, says the World Health Organization (WHO). In Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone, there were 4,269 persons thought to be affected (some cases were only suspected while others were confirmed), stated Australian.com
The furious rate of increase puts the cases of Ebola in West Africa, especially Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone exhibit a 49% increase in just the last three weeks, according to Time. Liberia cases shoot up by 68% in the last three weeks. There are some clusters even in Nigeria and Senegal, where the total adds up to 24 cases and eight deaths. "We are overwhelmed. The patients keep coming in (huge) numbers. Yesterday we received up to 30 patients," said Sophie Jane, a spokeswoman for Doctors Without Borders at the aid agency's Ebola unit in Monrovia.
About 2,288 patients died on Saturday, the UN health agency said on Tuesday.
Meanwhile, the United States is in the business of transporting a 100 health workers to West Africa in order to identify and cure patients suffering from the virus. The total U.S. contribution has been $US185 million. However, WHO has said that the contribution is inadequate. At least $US600 million dollars will be required to manage the epidemic!
U.S. funds are expected to furnish 1,000 new beds, 130,000 sets of protective equipment, 50,000 hygiene kits, 25 doctors, 45 nurses and assistants to manage the treatment centres. "We can and will stop this epidemic, but it will take a coordinated effort by the entire global community," USAID Administrator Dr. Rajiv Shah said.
Another patient, the fourth one with the Ebola virus, was brought to Atlanta, Georgia-based Emory University Hospital on Tuesday morning, according to the hospital. Last month, the hospital had cured and released two Americans who had been treated with the drug ZMapp. Unfortunately, the drug supplies are exhausted.
Currently, medical units are busy working on other vaccinations and cures. Another American who has been infected with the Ebola virus was receiving experimental drugs in his treatment at Nebraska hospital.