The World Health Organization has declared a state of emergency on the Ebola epidemic that has plagued several countries in Western Africa.
The first outbreak was detected in December, and has spread steadily ever since. In fact, a few months ago, Pope Francis prayed for the victims who have died from infection, which as of now, has claimed the lives of almost 1,000 people.
POPE FRANCIS, April 6th, 2014
'Let us also pray for the victims of the Ebola virus that has spread throughout Guinea and its neighboring countries. May the Lord strengthen the efforts to fight the start of this epidemic and to ensure the care and assistance to those in need.â?
Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone are the countries most devastated by the epidemic.
In this hospital in Sierra Leone, the few healthcare workers available who continue to work are desperately seeking resources to confront the rising epidemic.
CHRIS LANE
Epidemiologist
'The resources we desperately are personnel, logistics in terms of the standards, PPE, medication, general hospital equipmentâ?.
More than 1,700 people have been infected by the virus which has already spread in countries such as Nigeria, where the first case was recorded a few days ago.
The World Health Organization stated that the epidemic has reached such levels due to the lack of healthcare, inexperience in treatments for the virus and the flow of people who constantly cross international borders.
An American doctor and nurse were evacuated from Liberia after contracting the virus. A Spanish missionary was also sent back to his country after being infected.
There is still no vaccine for the disease which causes high fever, intense weakness and strong hemorrhages, since virus impedes blood coagulation. The mortality rates for this disease is close to 90 percent.
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