Deadly Ebola virus ‘out of control’ as potential victims remain untreated

What is ebola virus?

IT’S a deadly virus spreading out of control and doctors fear it may travel further as hundreds of potential victims fail to come forward for help.

The current Ebola outbreak in Guinea has claimed nearly 500 lives as the UN struggles to contain it, and panic sets in across neighbouring Sierra Leone and Liberia.

The UN has warned the virus, which is spread by exposure to infected bodily fluids and other secretions, has the potential to cross borders unless urgent action is taken to halt the outbreak.

Doctors say a mistrust of Western medicine and difficulty in accessing remote areas means potential sufferers are going untreated.

Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) told the UK Telegraph that at least 1500 people who may have come into contact with infected patients have not be properly traced by authorities.

It is the first time the virus has been seen on the western edge of the African continent, with earlier Ebola outbreaks confined to central nations such as Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

MSF said the deadly virus was “out of control” in Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia and could soon spread beyond West Africa.

The Eloba outbreak remains the worst on record with 467 reported deaths so far.

Ebola can kill within days, causing severe fever, muscle pain, weakness, vomiting and diarrhoea — and in some cases, the shutting down of organs and unstoppable bleeding.

The virus also remains contagious even if the infected person dies. It can also be passed on by unprotected handling of infected corpses.

No medicine or vaccine exists for the disease, but doctors say chances of survival are increased with early medical intervention.

Nearly 90 per cent of people who become infected with Ebola virus die as a result of exposure to the highly contagious virus.

·         Symptoms include: high fever, bleeding and central nervous system damage

·         Fatality rate can reach 90%

·         Incubation period is two to 21 days

·         There is no vaccine or cure

·         Supportive care such as rehydrating patients who have diarrhoea and vomiting can help recovery

·           Fruit bats are considered to be the natural host of the virus.