Healthcare technicians in Lagos, Nigeria, watch a demonstration of proper procedures for protection against Ebola.
On March 25, 2014, the World Health Organization (WHO) announced an outbreak of Ebola in West Africa. Ebola virus disease, or EVD, is an acute viral disease that is reportedly fatal 90 percent of the time in humans. The first cases occurred in a remote area of southeastern Guinea, near the borders with Sierra Leone and Liberia. The disease soon spread to these neighboring countries, as well as Nigeria. As of August 31, more than 3,700 “suspected and confirmed” cases were known. The death toll had risen to 1,848—more fatalities in six months than in all previous outbreaks of the disease, combined. The largest number of deaths has occurred in Liberia.
The current Ebola epidemic, which is the first the world has seen, threatens to become a global concern. The number of cases is increasing rapidly. The WHO and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) are warning that Ebola might spread to other continents and are calling for an urgent international response. Efforts by the health ministries of the four affected countries are failing to contain the epidemic, and health workers trying to treat those afflicted with the virus are themselves falling victim.
No licensed vaccine for EVD exists, but pharmaceutical researchers are hoping to rush one to market. The National Institutes of Health recently began testing an Ebola vaccine on human subjects. At least one promising drug is being readied for use in treatment. The eruption of the disease in West Africa came as somewhat of a surprise to health officials. Although occasional Ebola outbreaks had occurred since 1976, when the first human case was documented, EVD had been seen mostly in isolated circumstances, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Sudan, Congo, Gabon, and Uganda.
Image credit: © CDC/Sally Ezra
Related Links
- US Health Official Warns “Window of Opportunity” to Combat Ebola Closing
This article describes the dire Ebola crisis; includes links to related stories.
(Source: VOA News, September 3, 2014) - 2014 Ebola Outbreak in West Africa
This CDC webpage is devoted to the Ebola epidemic; includes archives of updates back to the initial announcement of the outbreak; includes a map showing the affected areas.
(Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; accessed September 3, 2014) - Ebola Virus Disease
This WHO factsheet explains what EVD is, its symptoms, history, and how it is transmitted.
(Source: World Health Organization; accessed September 3, 2014) - Health Officials: Ebola Spiraling Out of Control
This video explains the urgency of the Ebola epidemic in West Africa, which threatens to spread to other continents.
(Source: VOA News, September 3, 2014) - The Benefits of Developing an Ebola Vaccine
This article explores the implications of efforts to develop an Ebola vaccine.
(Source: Marketplace, September 2, 2014)
This is a big problem. If I was there then I would be freaking out!
thank you alyssa
I am pretty sure the U.S. is protected enough .-.
I KNOW RIGHT
It sounds horrible !!!!!!!!!!!!
NOBODY CARES
YES, PEOPLE DO!!!
if you were in africa right now you would want someone to care about you
if you had Ebola I am pretty sure you would want somebody to care about you
i care
Ben Russell tho
u should care
it might bring the down fall of the u.s.a.
why would you say that
It could not bring the downfall of the U.S. It’s too well protected. Plus there might be a chance of a cure, and it involves cows DNA mixed with a patient that is immune I think 😛
It could not bring the downfall of the U.S.,
u are really mean
really mean
omg
why is there no cure for this?
Because it has yet to be invented. It’s a pretty recent outbreak and these things take time and money.
well, they are working on a cure. its mixed with cow DNA and human immune DNA or something.
wtf
this is alot of reading!!!!!!
A lot of reading? It’s like,3 paragraphs…I read a 500 page book a day on the weekend!
this is boring….
you think Ebola is boring
well…and they say I have a short attention span.
hi this is very sad i wish that people just clean there hand it is very sad dispointing
someone cares
u would care if you got Ebola!
I know I would
everyone should care!!!!!!!!
I completely agree
This is really seriouse
it is
I’m gonna go wash my hands
people are freaking out in America and getting really worried about it here. But what if you were in Africa
what makes it worse is when people make jokes and joke about it
it’s terrable
ebola iswtf
Hey Guys!
oh no
HEY YOU GUYS!!!!
This seems very much like a shock article. They’re spinning all the negatives and wording it especially so that everything looks apocalyptic and deadly. Yes this strain is more deadly than the others of its kind. Is it treatable? Probably, just give it time.
really scary stuff
Really really scary stuff!!!
Be careful suckas
Dang…has anyone made a cure in case it comes back? They said they’ve pretty much fixed it on the news, didn’t they?
i know
this is just terrible how ebloa spreads around the world..
they say over 3,700 people have suffered from ebola and they want to have a stop to the ebola
transportation from africa to here
how did ebola get here in the first place.Can you people make it stop before it gets to my family and friends or me i am trying to go to college and get a good job and make money to support my family who supported me all my life.
holy moly
its already in the usa … if you didnt know that already
i like pears
tyler was here 🙂
Make ebola stop they should put people who have ebola in a sepreate place so people who dont have will not get it
make ebola stop
I think scientist should be working on finding a cure to Ebola. I just think it ridiculous that it is taking so long to do it.
Reply to Georgayoung well it got her because this dude went to africa and brought it back and he gave it to people on the plane and the nurse that was on the plane got it from him so he gave it to like 7 people
who’s the author???
WOW