The World Health Organization is at the forefront of the effort to control the Ebola outbreak.
The World Health Organization (WHO) released information September 4, 2014 regarding the total number of cases and deaths regarding the Ebola virus in West Africa. According to the WHO, there have been about 1,900 confirmed deaths in West Africa due to this disease. The total number of those who have, or are suspected to have, the virus in West Africa is estimated to be 3,700.
The current Ebola outbreak is one of the worst in history, according to the WHO, and is affecting Guinea, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Nigeria, and recently Senegal. The virus is spreading mainly through human contact, according to the WHO, and currently has a 47% survival rate.
Several health organizations are battling along with the WHO to battle this epidemic, the Center for Disease Control is one of them. In a press release on Tuesday, CDC director Tom Frieden, M.D., M.P.H. expressed his concerns about the exacerbating situation after returning from a visit to the affected areas.
“What I saw was a continuing need to strengthen the health care system by increasing the number of treatment centers, providers, access to supplies; as well as a need to improve clinical management by handwashing, infection control, and other methods,” said Frieden.
Frieden describes a particular image from his visit, “I went to a new ward that opened with 35 beds – and in less than a week they had 63 patients, many lying on the floor.” In the press release Frieden continued to mention the other shortcomings and needs of the effort in West Africa to combat the Ebola outbreak.
There are also images of valor and “heroism” according to Frieden while he was at West Africa. “I am particularly impressed with the dedication and heroism of the people of West Africa who care for the sick, spread the word about how to prevent Ebola, clean contaminated areas, bury the dead, and welcome survivors back into their homes and communities,” Frieden stated.
The U.S. Agency for International Development has already dedicated $21 million for the response. Frieden urged the international community to increase involvement in the response, “The window of opportunity to stop Ebola from spreading widely throughout Africa and becoming a global threat for years to come is closing, but it is not yet closed.”
Currently, the United States government is maintaining its involvement in the effort to curtail the Ebola outbreak. The WHO made an appeal for $490 million to aid in the struggle. The Ebola virus does not only amount to a high death toll, but it also affects the personal, economic, and societal lives of the affected areas.
