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Ebola crisis vastly underestimated, says WHO | Ebola crisis vastly underestimated, says WHO |
(about 9 hours later) | |
The scale of the Ebola outbreak appears to be "vastly underestimated", the UN's health agency says, as the death toll from the disease reaches 1,069. | The scale of the Ebola outbreak appears to be "vastly underestimated", the UN's health agency says, as the death toll from the disease reaches 1,069. |
The World Health Organization said its staff had seen evidence that the numbers of reported cases and deaths do not reflect the scale of the crisis. | The World Health Organization said its staff had seen evidence that the numbers of reported cases and deaths do not reflect the scale of the crisis. |
It said in a statement that "extraordinary measures" were needed. | It said in a statement that "extraordinary measures" were needed. |
The outbreak began in Guinea in February and has since spread to Liberia, Sierra Leone and Nigeria. | The outbreak began in Guinea in February and has since spread to Liberia, Sierra Leone and Nigeria. |
However, the WHO said the risk of transmission of Ebola during air travel remained low, as the disease is not airborne. | However, the WHO said the risk of transmission of Ebola during air travel remained low, as the disease is not airborne. |
As a consequence, Kenya Airways has rejected pressure to suspend its flights to the Ebola-hit states of West Africa. | As a consequence, Kenya Airways has rejected pressure to suspend its flights to the Ebola-hit states of West Africa. |
'Rampant fear' | 'Rampant fear' |
The WHO said the outbreak was expected to continue "for some time". | The WHO said the outbreak was expected to continue "for some time". |
"Staff at the outbreak sites see evidence that the numbers of reported cases and deaths vastly underestimate the magnitude of the outbreak," its statement said. | "Staff at the outbreak sites see evidence that the numbers of reported cases and deaths vastly underestimate the magnitude of the outbreak," its statement said. |
"WHO is co-ordinating a massive scaling up of the international response." | "WHO is co-ordinating a massive scaling up of the international response." |
Part of the challenge was the fact that the outbreak was in "settings characterised by extreme poverty, dysfunctional health systems, a severe shortage of doctors and rampant fear", the WHO added. | Part of the challenge was the fact that the outbreak was in "settings characterised by extreme poverty, dysfunctional health systems, a severe shortage of doctors and rampant fear", the WHO added. |
Two people have died in Nigeria after drinking a salt solution rumoured to prevent Ebola infection. | Two people have died in Nigeria after drinking a salt solution rumoured to prevent Ebola infection. |
The BBC's Ishaq Khalid says text messages began circulating in Nigeria towards the end of last week recommending that people drink and bath in a salt solution as a way to stop getting the virus, for which there is no cure or vaccine. | The BBC's Ishaq Khalid says text messages began circulating in Nigeria towards the end of last week recommending that people drink and bath in a salt solution as a way to stop getting the virus, for which there is no cure or vaccine. |
Despite the health minister scotching the rumour, many people have been admitted into hospital after drinking salt water. | Despite the health minister scotching the rumour, many people have been admitted into hospital after drinking salt water. |
Ebola is transmitted by direct contact with the body fluids of a person who is infected. | Ebola is transmitted by direct contact with the body fluids of a person who is infected. |
Initial flu-like symptoms can lead to external haemorrhaging from areas such as eyes and gums, and internal bleeding which can lead to organ failure. | Initial flu-like symptoms can lead to external haemorrhaging from areas such as eyes and gums, and internal bleeding which can lead to organ failure. |
Ebola: Mapping the outbreak | Ebola: Mapping the outbreak |
Are you in the affected regions? Email us at haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk adding 'Ebola' in the subject heading and including your contact details. |