Novel measures needed to tackle the deadly spread of Ebola

The World Health Organisation (WHO) is warning of thousands of new cases of Ebola expected in Liberia in the coming weeks.

Epidemiologist Michel Van Herp explains to the population in Gbando what is Ebola and how to avoid transmission. (Photo: Joffrey Monnier/Médecins Sans Frontières)

Epidemiologist Michel Van Herp explains to the population in Gbando what is Ebola and how to avoid transmission. (Photo: Médecins Sans Frontières)

The rapid spread of the deadly virus across Liberia is already overwhelming local health care services. A report from the WHO says taxis being used to transport infected patients are “a hot source of potential virus transmission".

"As soon as a new Ebola treatment facility is opened, it immediately fills to overflowing with patients," it said.
"When patients are turned away... they have no choice but to return to their communities and homes, where they inevitably infect others."

At least 2,100 people infected with Ebola have died so far in the West African states of Guinea, Liberia, Sierra Leone and Nigeria this year.

The WHO agency says conventional methods to control the outbreak are not having an adequate impact.

A number of experimental vaccines are being tested to tackle the virus. One such vaccine, being developed by the U.S. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and drug maker GlaxoSmithKline has been found to be effective for at least five weeks in monkeys.

However, a prominent American epidemiologist says it’s still too early to say whether the vaccine would be effective in humans.

Dr Anthony Fauci told Reuters television the vaccine was only injected into a human for the first time last week.
So, we don't even know if it is safe yet, and we certainly don't know if it is going to be effective," he said.


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