GENEVA, November 12 (RIA Novosti) — The number of Ebola-related deaths exceeded 5,000 with more than 14,000 infected with the deadly virus, the World Health Organization (WHO) said in a report Wednesday.
“A total of 14 098 confirmed, probable, and suspected cases of Ebola virus disease (EVD) have been reported in six affected countries (Guinea, Liberia, Mali, Sierra Leone, Spain and the United States of America) and two previously affected countries (Nigeria and Senegal) up to the end of 9 November. There have been 5160 reported deaths,” the report published on the organization’s website read.
Mali has reported four cases, among them one death, since October 24. While the number of cases in Guinea and Liberia is not on the rise, Sierra Leone continues to experience “steep” increases, the report stated.
According to the report, Sierra Leone accounts for 5,368 of the confirmed, probable, and suspected cases with 1,211 people having contracted the virus in the past 21 days, whereas Liberia, which accounts for 6,822 of the cases, reported about 466 new cases in the past three weeks. Guinea accounts for fewer cases (1,878), with slightly over 300 new cases within the same period.
WHO said that 19 of the 53 planned Ebola Treatment centers are currently operating in the three most affected countries and a team of 140 have been trained to ensure that burials are conducted in a safe yet dignified manner.
The Ebola virus is transmitted through contact with the body fluids of an infected person.
Although there is no officially approved medication for Ebola, several countries, including Russia, are currently working on trial vaccines and developing drugs that could possibly treat the virus.
Russia on Tuesday said that it would soon begin field tests in West Africa for its Triazavirin drug, while Japan’s Fujifilm Holdings Corp confirmed that it was waiting for an international license for its Avigan influenza drug to be used for treating Ebola from January 2015.
