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| Ebola virus virion. Created by CDC microbiologist Cynthia Goldsmith, this colorized transmission electron micrograph (TEM) revealed some of the ultrastructural morphology displayed by an Ebola virus virion. (Photo taken from Wikipedia) |
The medical charity Doctors Without Borders
(Médecins Sans Frontières, MSF) has announced on Monday it is facing
an unprecedented epidemic in terms of the distribution of [Ebola] cases now
scattered in several locations in Guinea.
MSF announcement followed eight confirmed cases of
Ebola reported in the capital Conakry. 78 people have been confirmed
death already as a result of the disease.
“We are facing an epidemic of a magnitude never
before seen in terms of the distribution of cases in the country: Gueckedou,
Macenta Kissidougou, Nzerekore, and now Conakry,” says Mariano Lugli,
coordinator of MSF’s project in Conakry.
The multinational medical charity has announced it
is sending around sixty international field workers to Guinea by the end of the
week.
Last week, the World Health Organisation, WHO, said
there were six suspected cases and five deaths in neighbouring Liberia.
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| MSF says it will have around 60 international staff on the ground in Guinea to respond to the Ebola epidemic by week-end. (Photo: Kjell Gunnar Beraas/MSF) |
‘Most
aggressive virus’
Michel Van Herp, an MSF epidemiologist currently in
Guekedou, said “In Guinea, it is the Zaire strain of Ebola virus. This is the
most aggressive and deadly. It kills more than 9 out of 10 patients.”
“To stop the outbreak, it is important to trace the
chain of transmission. All contacts of patients likely to have been
contaminated should be monitored and isolated at the first sign of infection,”
Van Herp said.
Health authorities in the capital Conakry said they
have recorded 122 suspected patients and 78 deaths. Other cases, suspected or
diagnosed, were found in Sierra Leone and Liberia.
Van Herp added: “It is important that the Guinean
authorities and the WHO help medical facilities put in place all necessary
hygiene measures.”
Neighbours on
high alert
In The Gambia, health authorities have said “all
suspected cases should be reported to the nearest health facility. The disease
is serious and contagious.”
While health authorities in the tiny West African
country assured the general public that there should be no cause for alarm,
scientists have admitted there is no vaccine or treatment against the Ebola
disease.
On March 23, the Government of The Gambia said “all
the required logistics and manpower are readily available to deal with the
situation in case of any suspected or confirmed case of the disease [Ebola]” in
the country.
Modou Njai, director of health promotion and
education, said the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare is fully aware of the
situation and is closely monitoring the outbreak of Ebola virus in Sub-Saharan
Africa.
Scientists say Ebola is spread by close contact and
kills between 25% and 90% of victims. Its signs and symptoms include fever,
chills, fatigue, nausea and vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhoea, weakness,
bleeding from the nose, mouth, anus and vagina.
A version of this story first appeared on FPI, click HERE
Written by Modou S. Joof
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