The World Health Organization (WHO) bared on Wednesday that almost 5,000 people have already died because of Ebola virus and that more than 9,000 cases have been recorded so far.
Reuters said that while the death toll from the "world's worst recorded Ebola outbreak" stands at 4,877, the true count "may be three times as much." A total of 9,936 cases have been recorded as of October 19, latest data released by the organization showed.
The WHO was quoted in the report that the number of cases are seen to be much higher than what has been given -- "by a factor of 1.5 in Guinea, 2 in Sierra Leone and 2.5 in Liberia." Meanwhile, the death rate is seen to be around 70 percent of all cases, suggesting a toll of nearly 15,000, the report noted.
Three West African countries have the most number of deaths and cases. According to the updated date provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a total of 904 deaths were recorded in Guinea alone. A total of 2,705 deaths were recorded in Liberia while 1,259 in Sierra Leone.
Liberia also has the most number of cases totaling to 4,665. It was followed by Sierra Leone with 3,706 cases and by Guinea with 1,540 cases, CDC website showed.
The data also showed that eight people died of the disease in Nigeria and one was recorded in the US. One confirmed case of Ebola was also recorded in Spain.
Lately, the cities of Monrovia and Freetown showed the "most intense" disease transmission, Reuters said. At least 18 confirmed cases, on the other hand, were reported in Conakry in Guinea, where the outbreak originated, it added.
Reuters said that while countries such as Nigeria and Senegal have already been declared Ebola-free, the Ivory Coast and Guinea's Kankan district are being threatened as the disease continues to spread toward these areas. The first Ebola case was recorded in Kankan this week. A drop in the number of cases, on the other hand, was reported in the Liberian district of Lofa due to disease control measures, Reuters said.
More than 440 of the thousands of Ebola cases are health care workers, more than half of them have already died, Reuters said.
The WHO was cited in the Reuters report saying that it is now pursuing investigations to find out why many have contracted the disease.
Meanwhile, the Associated Press reported that "dozens" in Sierra Leone have already recovered from the disease. At least 45 patients at the Hastings Treatment center near the city of Freetown have been released and were given health certificates indicating that they are already Ebola-free, the report said.
A plan to stop the epidemic was made by the United Nations. It is known as the 70-70-60. These numbers mean that 70 percent of the cases must be isolated, and 70 percent of those who died from the disease must be safely buried by December 1. The 60 indicates the amount of days allotted to reach the given deadline. Reuters said that the plan aims to attain 100 percent by January 1.
- Contribute to this Story:
- Send us a tip
- Send us a photo or video
- Suggest a correction
