MOSCOW, August 21 (RIA Novosti) – The number of deaths from Ebola virus disease in the West African countries of Liberia, Nigeria, Guinea, and Sierra Leone has spiked to 1350, the World Health Organization (WHO) said in its regular report.
According to the organization, over the two days, “between 17 and 18 August 2014 a total of 221 new cases of Ebola virus disease (laboratory-confirmed, probable, and suspect cases) as well as 106 deaths were reported from Guinea, Liberia, Nigeria, and Sierra Leone.”
The previous WHO reports put the number of Ebola-related deaths at 1145.
The statement, published on the organization’s website Wednesday said also that “countries are beginning to experience supply shortages, including fuel, food, and basic supplies” after a number of companies decided to suspend services to the Ebola-hit countries.
Ebola hemorrhagic fever is a deadly disease, transmitted through direct contact with the blood or bodily fluids of the infected. There is no licensed treatment or vaccine for the Ebola virus, which has a case fatality rate of up to 90 percent.
Last week, WHO concluded it is ethical to use experimental drugs to treat patients infected with the deadly Ebola virus.
