High numbers of new Ebola cases and
deaths in Africa are prompting increased efforts to
contain the deadly outbreak.
As of July 12, the cumulative number of Ebola
virus cases in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone
was at 964, including 603 deaths. The death toll
has almost doubled in a month's time; reported
deaths in the three countries in mid-June was
350 .
A coordination center is being established in
Conakry, Guinea, where the World Health
Organization is sending epidemiologists,
communications experts and other support staff.
Trained volunteers are also helping officials find
possible cases and isolate infected individuals.
Can we stop the deadliest Ebola outbreak from
spreading?
The Ebola outbreak in Guinea was first
reported to the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention in March. By
the end of the month, UNICEF said at
least 59 out of 80 people who
contracted Ebola there had died. In
April, the outbreak spread to Conakry,
Guinea's capital, and to neighboring
countries Liberia and Sierra Leone.
Ebola typically kills 90% of those
infected with the virus, but the death
rate in this outbreak has dropped to
roughly 60% thanks to early
treatment.
Officials believe that the Ebola
outbreak has taken such a strong hold
in West Africa due to the proximity of
the jungle --where the virus originated
-- to Conakry, which has a population
of 2 million. Since symptoms don't
immediately appear, the virus can
easily spread as people travel around
the region. Once the virus takes hold, many die in
an average of 10 days as the blood fails to clot
and hemorrhaging occurs.
What you need to know about Ebola
The disease isn't contagious until symptoms
appear. Symptoms include fever, headache and
fatigue. At that point, the Ebola virus is spread
via bodily fluids.
The CDC says this particular outbreak is
challenging to contain due to weak healthcare
infrastructures and community mistrust and
resistance in the affected countries. It is the first
time a major outbreak of the virus has been seen
in West Africa, which aids in the confusion and
fear over the current situation, the WHO said on
its website.
I survived Ebola but villagers shunned me
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