The Ebola outbreak in West Africa is spreading faster than efforts to control it, the World Health Organization head, Dr. Margaret Chan, has said.
She told a summit of regional leaders, including the worst-affected countries – Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone – that failure to contain it could be “catastrophic” in terms of lives lost.
Chan, however, added that the virus outbreak, the world’s deadliest and largest in terms of geographical areas, could be stopped if well managed.
The WHO head used the occasion to announce the launching of a new $100 million (N17billion)Ebola response plan.
“This meeting must mark a turning point in the outbreak response”, Dr. Chan said at the summit in Guinea’s capital, Conakry.
“Cases are occurring in rural areas which are difficult to access, but also in densely populated capital cities”.
Ebola, a disease that has killed over 700 persons, spreads by contact with infected blood, bodily fluids, organs – or contaminated environments.
Initial flu-like symptoms can lead to external haemorrhaging from areas like eyes and gums, and internal bleeding which can lead to organ failure.
Ebola kills up to 90% of those infected, with patients having a better chance of survival if they receive early treatment.