The fatal Ebola virus disease is showing no signs of stopping and medical experts paint a gory picture, revealing that the outbreak is now "totally out of control" in West Africa.
According to a senior medical official from Doctors Without Borders (Médecins Sans Frontières), this outbreak of Ebola is responsible for causing more deaths than any previous Ebola epidemic. Health experts are calling for the need for governments and international organizations to be more involved, as well as to help increase public awareness on how to combat the outbreak.
"The reality is clear that the epidemic is now in a second wave," says Bart Janssens, director of operations for Doctors Without Borders in Brussels. "And, for me, it is totally out of control."
More than 330 people in Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone have been victims of Ebola per the World Health Organization. Moreover, a staggering 600 people have been infected by the virus in these countries.
In February this year, Ebola reared its ugly head in Guniea and, consequently, spread to Liberia and Sierra Leone.
This strain of EVD is caused by the Zaire ebolavirus. It spreads via contact with blood or fluids of those infected. It can have a detrimental effect on the human body and can cause organ failure and internal bleeding. Ebola has a mortality rate of nearly 90 percent, which in itself is alarming.
Currently, no specific treatment or medication can cure the disease and there is no vaccine, either. The chances of an individual recovering, however, are higher if the disease is identified in the initial stages itself so that the patient gets the required attention. Strict infection control practices must be followed to prevent the disease from spreading.
"This is the highest outbreak on record and has the highest number of deaths, so this is unprecedented so far," said Armand Sprecher, a public health specialist with Doctors Without Borders.
Janssens worries that the epidemic is seeing a "resurgence" and if it is not controlled then "it will continue" and could even make its way to neighboring countries.
In May, it seemed that the Ebola outbreak was decelerating. However, figures released by WHO on June 18 reveal 47 new cases from the prior week.
At this point, WHO does not recommend trade or travel restrictions to Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia.
