Ebola Virus Outbreak 2014: Taxis Are Breeding Grounds For Virus, WHO Experts Say

The Ebola virus is spreading at alarming rates across Liberia, with taxis turning into breeding grounds as people search for medical treatment, the World Health Organization said Monday.

A total of 2,097 people have died in the Ebola epidemic that's centered in Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone and recently spread to Nigeria. Nearly half of the deaths occurred in Liberia, according to WHO numbers released last Friday.

The organization warns that the disease, which has no official cure, is spreading faster than the country's already weak medical system can manage.

A Liberia-based WHO staff member said "motorbike-taxis and regular taxis are a hot source of potential Ebola virus transmission, as these vehicles are not disinfected at all, much less before new passengers are taken on board," the organization said according to NBC News.

Desperate people travel to treatment centers only to learn there are no beds available in the entire country, WHO staff in Liberia confirmed. They have no choice but to return home where they increase the chance of infecting more people.

"In Monrovia, taxis filled with entire families, of whom some members are thought to be infected with the Ebola virus, crisscross the city, searching for a treatment bed. There are none," WHO said according to the station.

In Montserrado county, home to over 1 million residents, about 1,000 beds are needed for Ebola patients but only 240 are available, according to WHO investigators.

The epidemic brings into shock relief the disparity in medical options and resources available in West Africa.

On Monday, the third American doctor with Ebola was said to be improving at a Nebraska hospital after he was transported there from Liberia last week. A fourth American who contracted Ebola is expected to be flown to the U.S. this week. The patients were able to receive good nutrition and experimental treatments once they arrived in the U.S.

WHO experts predict the situation in Liberia will most likely get worse.

"Many thousands of new cases are expected in Liberia over the coming three weeks," WHO members said.

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