Ebola in West Africa: Total number of cases exceeds 13,700

By: Editorial Team | | Published: October 30, 2014 10:48 am

The World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed Wednesday that 13,703 people have been infected with the Ebola virus since the epidemic began in March. Of that number, 13,676 of the cases were reported from three West African countries– Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea Conakry — where international efforts are focused to control the epidemic, Xinhua reported citing the statement. (Read: Quarantine for Ebola what is it?) Also Read - Ganesh Chaturthi 2020: 4 reasons an eco-friendly Ganesha is good for you

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In a country-by-country breakdown, WHO said that 6,535 cases were registered in Liberia, 5,235 in Sierra Leone and 1,906 in Guinea. Regarding the number of deaths, the WHO explained that it has not yet completed the count and that the final figure will be published in the next few hours. The organisation’s Assistant Director-General Bruce Aylward said in a press conference that ‘probably the death toll has exceeded 5,000.’ (Read: 7 tips to prevent the spread of Ebola) Also Read - New experimental drug can protect against all forms of Ebola

Here s are some interesting facts about the Ebola virus that make it so deadly.

It can kill within seven days: Unlike other viruses (like HIV) that can remain dormant in a person for years without causing the disease, Ebola violently multiplies until the viral particles are amplified to about 100 million viral particles in a droplet of blood. Further, without resting in a dormant stage the virus kills the host to find a new one. The fatality rate of the disease is 60 percent.

There is no vaccine or treatment available: What makes this virus deadly is the fact that researchers have not been able to find an effective treatment or preventive technique to combat the virus and the spread of the disease. The experimental drug Zmapp has shown promising results but the safety and efficacy of the drug are to be evaluated. So, as of now, neither do we have an effective form of therapy nor do we have a vaccine to prevent the disease.

Attacks every part of the human body: Ebola only needs a host cell that can help it produce multiple copies of itself. What worsens the condition is the fact that the virus does not need a specific type of cell to multiply (unlike other deadly diseases). According to studies, except for skeletal muscles and bones, the virus is known to infect every part of the human body. Connective tissues, the ones that hold your internal organs in place, are primary targets of the virus. Read more about 10 reasons that make the Ebola virus deadly for humans

With inputs from IANS

Photo source: Getty images

Published : October 30, 2014 10:48 am

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