Latest Ebola News: Outbreak will take at least six months to control

The outbreak of Ebola in West Africa will take at least six months to bring it under control, according to the medical charity Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) also known as the Doctors Without Borders. The situation was 'deteriorating faster, and moving faster, than we can respond to'; BBC quoted MSF President Joanne Liu as speaking in Geneva. Earlier, the World Health Organisation (WHO) said the scale of the outbreak appeared to be 'vastly underestimated'. It said that 'extraordinary measures' were needed. The epidemic began in Guinea in February and has since spread to Liberia, Sierra Leone and Nigeria.

Liu added that the infrastructure in West Africa countries weren't equipped to deal with the epidemic, calling it an emergency inside an emergency as people don't have access to basic healthcare services. 'My biggest concern is that we are exposing the medical staff over and over again,' she said. 'Over the next six months we should get the upper hand on the epidemic, this is my gut feeling.'

In the US, an American doc infected with Ebola in said he's recovering and looked forward to a reunion with his family. 'There are still a few hurdles to clear before I can be discharged, but I hold on to the hope of a sweet reunion with my wife, children and family in the near future,' Dr Kent Brantly said in a statement. The WHO added that all rumours of effective products and treatments are false. 'All rumours of any other effective products or practices are false. Their use can be dangerous. In Nigeria, for example, at least two people have died after drinking salt water, rumoured to be protective,' the UN health agency said.

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What is ebola virus?

The Ebola virus disease (EVD), formerly known as Ebola hemorrhagic fever is a severe condition caused by a virus from the Filoviridae family. Known to be a condition that is transmitted from animals to humans, this virus spreads through direct contact with the bodily fluids of an infected person or animal.

Here are some preventive measures for people who cannot avoid travelling.

If you're taking medication for any infectious diseases and if you're currently suffering from viral flu, you should avoid travelling before complete recovery. When you're suffering from an infection, your immunity weakens. This could be a good opportunity for the virus to attack you.
Older people, young peers and pregnant women should not travel at all. They have a high risk of acquiring infection.
Those who are travelling should be extra careful about their diet. Eat a balanced diet. Avoid junk food and under-cooked food, especially meat.

Following precautionary measures for travellers.

In any case, avoid handling items that you suspect have been contaminated, especially blood or body fluids.
Avoid contact with other people and avoid visiting hospitals where treatment for Ebola is being given. Read more about Ebola Virus Travel Tips Precautions you should take

With inputs from IANS

Photo source: Getty images

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