Also Read
By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookie Policy.
The Ebola virus is spreading like wildfire across West Africa, and its newest victim is the doctor who was leading the fight against the disease. In a sad and shocking blow to the entire movement to halt the virus' spread, Dr Sheik Umar Khan died on Tuesday.
Credited with treating over 100 patients, Sheik Umar Khan, is one of the casualties amongst the many healthcare workers who have succumbed to the disease. His death only goes to show the amount of risk healthcare workers are in, as they try to stop the progress of Ebola.
According to the World Health Organization, the Ebola virus has killed over 672 people in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone since the outbreak first began in February. A highly contagious disease, people suffering from the illness are known to suffer from symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea and internal and external bleeding.
Dr Sheik Umar Khan, the 39-year-old doctor, was shifted to a treatment ward run by the medical charity Medecins Sans Frontieres in the far north of Sierra Leone after his diagnosis and succumbed to his illness a week after he was first diagnosed. Incidentally his death took place on the same day that President Ernest Bai Koroma was due to visit his treatment center in the northeastern town of Kailahun.
In a statement to Reuters, chief medical officer, Brima Kargbo said, 'It is a big and irreparable loss to Sierra Leone, as he was the only specialist the country had specializing in viral haemorrhagic fevers.'
The first death due to the Ebola virus was reported last week in Nigeria's coastal city of Lagos, which is a home to 21 million people. Since the first victim was a Liberian passenger who traveled to Nigeria via the Togo-based Asky (an airline company), they have decided that they will no longer take on food to Guinea (where the outbreak was first identified) in an attempt to curb the spread of the disease.
As a precautionary measure the airline has also decided to check all passengers leaving the Guinean capital of Conakry for signs of the disease, and have also deployed a medical team at its Lome hub to screen passengers once again.
Another airline Arik Air (Nigeria's largest carrier) has also suspended all flights to Liberia and Sierra Leone sighting the high Ebola risk in the regions.
The disease that can kill up to 90% of its victims, currently has a mortality rate of 60%, a hint that maybe we are inching towards a cure. In an attempt to help the West African countries war against Ebola, US president Barack Obama said that they were receiving regular updates on the situation and noted that US agencies had stepped up to help contain the virus.
You may also like to read:
With inputs from Reuters and The World Post
Photo source: Getty images
For more articles on diseases and conditions, visit our diseases & conditions section. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter for all the latest updates! For daily free health tips, sign up for our newsletter. And to join discussions on health topics of your choice, visit our forum.