Since February, West Africa has been experiencing an Ebola virus outbreak, which has spread to three countries while infecting 635 people. At times medical staffs have been able to slow the outbreaks, but they have yet to subside as cases and deaths remained steady in recent weeks.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), a total of 400 people have died from the Ebola virus in Guinea (267 deaths), Sierra Leone (58 deaths), and Liberia (25 deaths). Guinea has suffered the worst, documenting 390 cases of the virus since the outbreak began. But now the WHO is urging any neighboring countries to prepare for potential outbreaks because the problem is out of control, according to health officials.
International health officials plan to hold a meeting on Wednesday in Accra, Ghana to caution various nations to brace for outbreaks and to figure out ways to mitigate the virus' spread. The WHO is expected to meet with 11 top health officials from African countries, along with Ebola survivors, airline representatives, mining companies, and groups that are providing money, supplies, or medical staff to the suffering nations.
"This is no longer a country-specific outbreak but a sub-regional crisis that requires firm action by governments and partners. WHO is gravely concerned of the on-going cross-border transmission into neighboring countries as well as the potential for further international spread," said Dr. Luis Sambo, WHO regional director for Africa, in this NBC News article.
The current outbreak is the worst since the virus emerged in central Africa back in 1976. Its spread hasn't been limited to affecting the health of the African people - it has affected transportation and commerce as well. Earlier this year, Senegal shut its southern border to Guinea and effectively canceled a weekly market that takes place in southern Senegal and attended by thousands of people from neighboring countries. The viable source of commerce between various countries was disrupted for a number of weeks until Senegal decided to reopen its border.
Additionally, the Economic Community of West African States expressed their concern with the outbreak, as travel restrictions were issued for a number of countries, thus affecting traffic and economic affairs. But the outbreak isn't slowing, so a number of factors will continue to be influenced.
Hopefully the health officials and others will come up with a definitive plan at tomorrow's meeting. You can read more about the Ebola virus in this Reuters news article.
