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AN EPIDEMIC OF the deadly Ebola virus in West Africa is now “out of control” with more than 60 outbreak hotspots, the medical charity Doctors Without Borders (MSF) has said.
“The scale of the current Ebola epidemic is unprecedented in terms of geographical distribution, people infected and deaths,” MSF said in a statement.
The rapid spread of the disease, which is deadly in up to 90% of cases, has overwhelmed aid agencies and health workers and terrified local communities.
“The epidemic is now out of control,” said Bart Janssens, MSF director of operations.
With the appearance of new sites in Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia, there is a real risk of it spreading to other areas.
After the first reported cases in Guinea at the start of the year, at least 337 people have died from Ebola in the three countries in 2014, according to data released last week by the World Health Organization.
The incurable disease is spread by contact with bodily fluids including sweat, meaning just touching an infected person is enough to spread the virus.
MSF called for a “massive deployment” of medical resources by governments in the region to curb the epidemic.
“We have reached our limits,” Janssens said. “We are no longer able to send teams to the new outbreak sites.”
Ebola can fell its victims within days, causing severe fever and muscle pain, weakness, vomiting and diarrhoea — in some cases shutting down organs and causing unstoppable bleeding.
This is the first time the disease has spread through the region and MSF said it had identified more than 60 separate locations with confirmed cases of the virus.
“Ebola is no longer a public health issue limited to Guinea: it is affecting the whole of West Africa,” Janssens said.
One resident from the Kailahun district in Sierra Leone, who gave his name as Amara Babawo, said normal life had come to a standstill as people take pains to avoid physical contact with each other. The situation is “very serious” in the town, added Babawo.
A school headteacher, Momodu Momoh, told AFP that “all social gatherings have put stopped” and said his school and others in the district had been closed as a precautionary measure.
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Looking forward to the annual quick dip in Lough Owel Mullingar tomorrow. In and out followed by a nip if whiskey and home for the turkey dinner what more could you ask for? Compliments if the holiday to all of the combatant Journo commenters (is that a word?), I don’t always agree with your point of view but can’t help checking them out.
Been able to swim would surely be the most important thing
Don’t make any necessary journeys.
Don’t wear a swimsuit you pussies
That should be wet suit
Swimsuit is funnier
I’m swimming in Courtown Hrb on Christmas Day. My first time and I’m in my 60′s I’d hardly swim in the sea in July unless it was in Spain or somewhere. But it’s a dare and it’s for Hope Cancer Support Services https://www.gofundme.com/xmasswimwebb16hopecancersupport
We’re having a swim in the Liffey who’s up for it()
dont go swimming in the sea
I’ll be swimming in Woodstown beach tomorrow. Looking forward to the ritual.
Dont do it.simple as.
Some do it for charity
have your say