GENEVA, December 15. /TASS/. The number of people killed by the Ebola virus has reached 6,841 people, the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Monday.
“A total of 18,464 confirmed, probable, and suspected cases of Ebola virus disease (EVD0 have been reported in five affected countries (Guinea, Liberia, Mali, Sierra Leone, and the United States of America) and three previously affected countries (Nigeria, Senegal and Spain) as of December 14. There have been 6,841 reported deaths,” the WHO’s report said.
According to statistics, the maximum number of Ebola-related deaths and cases was registered in Liberia - 3,290 deaths and 7,797 cumulative cases. Liberia is followed by Sierra Leone (2,033 deaths and 8,273 infected) and Guinea (2,394 and 1,518, respectively).
The first Ebola outbreaks occurred in remote Central African villages, near tropical rainforests. However, major urban and rural areas have been involved in the most recent outbreak in western Africa.
The World Health Organization describes Ebola virus disease (formerly known as Ebola haemorrhagic fever) as “a severe, often fatal illness, with a case fatality rate of up to 90%.” Symptoms include sudden onset of fever, intense weakness, muscle pain, headache and sore throat. This is followed by vomiting, diarrhoea, rash, impaired kidney and liver function, and in some cases, both internal and external bleeding. The infection is transmitted by direct contact with the blood, body fluids and tissues of infected animals or people. People are infectious as long as their blood and secretions contain the virus. The incubation period is 2 to 21 days. There is no known cure or vaccine for the disease. The only treatment offered is “supportive intensive care.” During an outbreak, those at higher risk of infection are health workers, family members and others in close contact with sick people and deceased patients.