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Written By: Editorial Team | Published : October 17, 2014 11:28 AM IST
The Ebola virus is one of the most deadly infections the world has ever faced, and it seems we might not have enough funds to beat the disease. According to recent reports the U.N. trust fund launched for combating spread of the deadly Ebola virus has only $100,000 cash, a minuscule amount compared to the $1 billion that the world body needs to help tackle the outbreak. The trust fund has received pledges of about $20 million from various governments, but only $100,000 in actual cash deposits
U.N. chief Ban Ki-moon appealed to the international community to provide the billion dollars that will enable the U.N. and partners to 'get ahead of the curve' and meet the target of reducing the rate of transmission by December 1. The U.N. Chief told reporters here on Thursday that the trust fund requires $1 billion for the U.N. operation to tackle the epidemic and while countries have made pledges of 20 million dollars, 'our bank account has only a hundred thousand dollars. This is a very serious problem,' he said. (Read: What is the Ebola incubation period?)
The $100,000 in actual cash deposits has come from only one country Colombia. 'Ebola is a huge and urgent global problem that demands a huge and urgent global response. Dozens of countries are showing their solidarity. But we need to turn pledges into action. We need more doctors, nurses, equipment, treatment centres and medevac capacities,' he said as he called on the international community to step up its efforts to respond to the Ebola crisis.
He said pledges must be into action, while the United Nations health agency warned of continuously deteriorating situation in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone. Mr. Ban s call to action echoes the stark warning issued to the Security Council last week by head of the U.N. Mission for Ebola Emergency Response (UNMEER) Anthony Banbury, who said the world must move quickly to ensure that at least 70 per cent of all people infected with Ebola are getting treatment by December 1, and that 70 per cent of all burials occur without contamination by that date. (Read: What is the Ebola virus disease survival rate?)
Failing to reach those targets would mean 'we fail entirely. With each passing day...the number of people infected grows exponentially,' Mr. Banbury said. The latest figures from the U.N. World Health Organization (WHO) indicate a total of 8,997 cases in seven countries Guinea, Liberia, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Spain and United States and 4,493 deaths. The disease has taken its toll on healthcare workers, with 427 infected and 236 dead. (Read: 10 reasons that make the Ebola virus deadly for humans)
Early symptoms of Ebola
Fever: Increase in body temperature is the first defence mechanism that the body uses to kill any foreign particle invading the body. When Ebola infects the body, it causes a release of various compounds like cytokines and histamines that pass on the signals of increasing body temperature. In fact, Ebola virus disease is also called the Ebola haemorrhagic fever, where the temperature can go above 38.6 C or 101.5 F.
Headache: It is the most common symptom of Ebola infection after fever, present in almost 96 percent of the cases. Nausea and headache along with fever present a typical case of common cold and flu. At this stage, the symptoms can be confused with other common infections.
Late symptoms of Ebola
Sore throat: This symptom may take some time to develop and may not occur in all people infected with the virus. It starts with a scratchy, dry or itchy feeling in the throat and can even end with lesions in the throat filled with the virus.
Jaundice: When the virus attacks the liver cells, it causes leakage of cell contents into the blood stream. Increased level of liver proteins in the blood may cause yellowing of skin and eyes or jaundice in few cases. Read more about Ebola virus signs and symptoms you need to watch out for!
With inputs from PTI
Photo source: Getty images
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