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Written By: Editorial Team | Published : October 21, 2014 4:27 PM IST
A UN official Monday reiterated support to Ghana's preparedness to contain a possible spread of the Ebola virus disease. Speaking here during the launch of the 69th celebration of the UN Day, Wolfgang Haas, Coordination Specialist of the UN in Ghana, said, in the wake of the Ebola crisis the UN had a central role in ensuring a rapid and effective response to eradicate Ebola as quickly as possible, Xinhua reported. (Read: How the Ebola virus spreads in humans)
'In Ghana, the UN is working closely with government to ensure Ghana has the necessary infrastructure and capacities in place to protect the population from this deadly virus,' said Haas. The Ebola disease has so far killed some 4,500 people in the three West African states of Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia, out of over 8,900 cases. According ot experts, Ebola poses a threat to the world's peace and security, hence united efforts are needed to stop it. (Read: Ebola facts frequently asked questions (FAQ))
In response, the UN has stationed its Mission for Ebola Emergency Response (UNMEER) in Ghana's capital, Accra to provide a platform for wide-ranging international efforts to put an end to the spread of the disease.This is the first time in history that the UN has created a mission for a public health emergency. (Read: 10 reasons that make the Ebola virus deadly for humans)
Here are 7 ebola myths busted
Myth #1: Ebola is not real
Fact: Ebola is real and is caused due to a virus.
The virus is thought to have been spread from animals to man and is capable of being contagious even before any symptoms are seen. Having killed over 700 people, the Ebola virus is known to be fatal 90% of the times. This apathy was highlighted in a news report by NEWSY, where Dr Sanjay Gupta said in an interview with CNN that people in Africa have a severe lack of knowledge regarding the virus and how it spreads. They touch the bodies of people who have died due to the infection, and get infected. This then spreads to people around them. Apart from that in a startling revelation, one person interviewed in Africa said that he did not believe that Ebola was real, while eating a piece of bush meat. As the disease continues killing, it is this belief that only makes the situation worse.
Myth #2: Ebola can only spread through blood
Fact: Ebola can spread through all body fluids including blood, sweat, semen, saliva and any other discharge.
This is mainly because of the way the virus attacks the body. Apart from affecting a person s immune system, Ebola multiplies extremely fast and soon spreads throughout a person s body. It then systematically infects all systems of the human body barring the nervous system. This leads to bleeding and breakdown of all the defense mechanisms of the body. The infection becomes so severe that at a given time there can be up to 1000 viral cells in one drop of body fluid (especially blood). Read more about Ebola Facts: Top 7 myths busted
With inputs from IANS
Photo source: Getty images
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