MOSCOW, April 9 (RIA Novosti) – The deadly Ebola virus on the rampage in West Africa, with epicenters in Guinea and Liberia, is one of the most daunting outbreaks the World Health Organization (WHO) has ever faced, WHO’s Assistant Director-General said during a press briefing.
“This is one of the most challenging Ebola outbreaks that we have ever faced,” Dr. Keiji Fukuda said Tuesday, adding that it might take up to four months to contain the outbreak.
The number of Ebola cases in Guinea has surged to 157 since January, with 101 confirmed deaths.
According to WHO, the capital Conakry alone has seen 20 Ebola-linked deaths, with the southern Guinean town of Gueckedou now the epicenter of the Ebola outbreak. Liberia has also recorded 21 cases and 10 Ebola-linked deaths.
Several cases of Ebola have additionally been reported in Mali, Ghana and Sierra Leone.
Over 50 foreign experts have been deployed to the region to render medical assistance to those affected by the disease.
Last month, Russia's consumer rights watchdog Rospotrebnadzor warned Russian citizens against travelling to Central and Western African countries, in particular Guinea, Sierra Leone, Senegal and Liberia. It also recommended those already in the countries should wear masks and avoiding contact with people showing any signs of fever.
Ebola hemorrhagic fever is one of the deadliest viruses known to mankind, killing around two-thirds of those who contract the disease. The virus is transmitted by direct contact with blood or body fluids of an infected person. Transmission via contaminated medical equipment or other objects is also possible.
There is currently no known cure or vaccine for Ebola.
