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Ebola death toll reaches 2,288, says World Health Organization | Ebola death toll reaches 2,288, says World Health Organization |
(about 1 hour later) | |
The Ebola outbreak in West Africa has killed 2,288 people, with half of them dying in the last three weeks, the World Health Organization (WHO) says. | The Ebola outbreak in West Africa has killed 2,288 people, with half of them dying in the last three weeks, the World Health Organization (WHO) says. |
It said that 47% of the deaths and 49% of the total 4,269 cases had come in the 21 days leading up to 6 September. | It said that 47% of the deaths and 49% of the total 4,269 cases had come in the 21 days leading up to 6 September. |
The health agency warned that thousands more cases could occur in Liberia, which has had the most fatalities. | The health agency warned that thousands more cases could occur in Liberia, which has had the most fatalities. |
The outbreak, which was first reported in Guinea in March this year, has also spread to Sierra Leone and Nigeria. | The outbreak, which was first reported in Guinea in March this year, has also spread to Sierra Leone and Nigeria. |
In Nigeria, eight people have died out of 21 cases, while one case of Ebola has been confirmed in Senegal, the WHO said in its latest update. | In Nigeria, eight people have died out of 21 cases, while one case of Ebola has been confirmed in Senegal, the WHO said in its latest update. |
'Latter-day plague' | |
On Monday, the agency called on organisations combating the outbreak in Liberia to scale up efforts to control the outbreak "three-to-four fold". | On Monday, the agency called on organisations combating the outbreak in Liberia to scale up efforts to control the outbreak "three-to-four fold". |
Ebola spreads between humans by direct contact with infected blood, bodily fluids or organs, or indirectly through contact with contaminated environments. | Ebola spreads between humans by direct contact with infected blood, bodily fluids or organs, or indirectly through contact with contaminated environments. |
However, the WHO says conventional means of controlling the outbreak, which include avoiding close physical contact with those infected and wearing personal protective equipment, were not working well in Liberia. | However, the WHO says conventional means of controlling the outbreak, which include avoiding close physical contact with those infected and wearing personal protective equipment, were not working well in Liberia. |
The reason for this remains unclear; however, experts say it could be linked to burial practices, which can include touching the body and eating a meal near it. | The reason for this remains unclear; however, experts say it could be linked to burial practices, which can include touching the body and eating a meal near it. |
There are also not enough beds to treat Ebola patients, particularly in the capital Monrovia, with many people told to go back home, where they may spread the virus. | There are also not enough beds to treat Ebola patients, particularly in the capital Monrovia, with many people told to go back home, where they may spread the virus. |
Sophie-Jane Madden, of aid agency Medecins Sans Frontieres, told the BBC that health workers at the largest treatment centre in Monrovia were completely overwhelmed: "Our teams are every day turning away people who are desperately seeking healthcare." | Sophie-Jane Madden, of aid agency Medecins Sans Frontieres, told the BBC that health workers at the largest treatment centre in Monrovia were completely overwhelmed: "Our teams are every day turning away people who are desperately seeking healthcare." |
Meanwhile, the US says it will help the African Union mobilise 100 African health workers to the region and contribute an additional $10m (£6.2m) in funds to deal with the outbreak. | Meanwhile, the US says it will help the African Union mobilise 100 African health workers to the region and contribute an additional $10m (£6.2m) in funds to deal with the outbreak. |
The announcement comes as a fourth US aid worker infected with the deadly virus was transported to a hospital in Atlanta for treatment. | The announcement comes as a fourth US aid worker infected with the deadly virus was transported to a hospital in Atlanta for treatment. |
The identity of the aid worker has not yet been revealed. | |
Two other aid workers who were treated at the same hospital have since recovered from an Ebola infection. | Two other aid workers who were treated at the same hospital have since recovered from an Ebola infection. |
Separately on Tuesday, the UN's envoy in Liberia said at least 80 Liberian health workers had died from Ebola, according to the Associated Press. | |
Karin Landgren described the outbreak as a "latter-day plague" that was growing exponentially. She added that health workers were operating without proper protective equipment, training or pay, in comments to the UN Security Council. |