Audio By Carbonatix
The deadly Ebola virus outbreak in West Africa has hit "unprecedented" proportions, according to relief workers on the ground.
"The epidemic is out of control," Dr. Bart Janssens, director of operations for Doctors Without Borders, said in a statement.
There have been 567 cases and 350 deaths since the epidemic began in March, according to the latest World Health Organization figures.
Ebola virus outbreaks are usually confined to remote areas, making it easier to contain. But this outbreak is different; patients have been identified in 60 locations in Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia.
Officials believe the wide footprint of this outbreak is partly because of the close proximity between the jungle where the virus was first identified and cities such as Conakry. The capital in Guinea has a population of 2 million and an international airport.
People are traveling without realizing they're carrying the deadly virus. It can take between two and 21 days for someone to feel sick after they've been exposed.
Ebola is a violent killer. The symptoms, at first, mimic the flu: headache, fever, tiredness. What comes next sounds like something out of a horror movie: significant diarrhea and vomiting, while the virus shuts off the blood's ability to clot.
As a result, patients often suffer internal and external hemorrhaging. Many die in an average of 10 days.
"We have reached our limits," Janssens said.
Doctors Without Borders, also known as Médecins Sans Frontières, is the only aid organization treating people affected by the virus. Since March, they have sent more than 300 staff members and 40 tons of equipment and supplies to the region to help fight the epidemic.
Still, they warn, it's not enough.
"Despite the human resources and equipment deployed by MSF in the three affected countries, we are no longer able to send teams to the new outbreak sites."
The good news is that Ebola isn't as easily spread as one may think. A patient isn't contagious -- meaning they can't spread the virus to other people -- until they are already showing symptoms.
Health officials have urged residents to alert MSF or local physicians at the first sign of flu-like symptoms. While there is no cure or vaccine to treat Ebola, MSF has proved it doesn't have to be a death sentence if it's treated early.
Inside isolation treatment areas, doctors focus on keeping the patients hydrated with IV drips and other liquid nutrients. It's working. Ebola typically kills 90% of patients. This outbreak, the death rate has dropped to roughly 60%.
MSF says they'll continue to isolate and treat Ebola patients in West Africa with the resources they have available but urge for a "massive deployment" by regional governments and aid agencies to help stop the epidemic.
World Health Organization officials say they're planning high-level meeting for the Minister of Health in the subregion July 2 and 3 to discuss the deployment of additional resources and experts to the area.
The outbreak will be considered contained after 42 days with no new Ebola cases -- that's twice the incubation period.
Latest Stories
-
If CJ needs ethics law to know SOE comments were wrong, he may not be worthy of office – Arthur Kennedy
2 minutes -
Stop touring state agencies and focus on the Judiciary’s problems – Arthur Kennedy to CJ
8 minutes -
Apologise and don’t do it again – Arthur Kennedy to Chief Justice over SOE comments
13 minutes -
Chief Justice remains committed to judicial independence, justice and equality – Judicial Service
46 minutes -
Ghana concludes evacuation of citizens from South Africa; total returnees reach 1,900 – Ablakwa
1 hour -
Africa must define its own green transition path – Prof Fatima Denton
1 hour -
WASSCE 2026: English Language performance falls to 62.4% – WAEC
2 hours -
WASSCE 2026: Social Studies records sharp rebound as Maths, Science also improve
2 hours -
2026 WASSCE entry rises by 11% as 512,862 candidates sit exams
2 hours -
WASSCE 2026: English Language performance falls to 62.4% – WAEC
2 hours -
WAEC cancels 2026 WASSCE results of 8,295 candidates over examination irregularities
3 hours -
WAEC releases provisional 2026 WASSCE results for 512,862 candidates
3 hours -
CJ’s remarks on SOEs were made in good faith, not to undermine judicial independence – Judicial Service
6 hours -
Bright Future Alliance pays courtesy call on Akufo-Addo, invites him to African Leaders of Influence Lectureship Series
6 hours -
This is an attempt to break the Minority caucus – Patricia Appiagyei on alleged GH¢70k payment
7 hours