Fears over spread of Ebola as more tragedies emerge
- 10 years ago
How much further will Ebola spread?
As the death tolls rises in West Africa, and Nigeria confirmed its first case, more tales of human tragedy are emerging.
Ebola has killed some 660 people in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone since it was first diagnosed in February.
Those treating victims can be at risk and a 33-year-old American doctor working for a relief group in Liberia’s capital has tested positive for the tropical disease.
François Chignac, our correspondent in Guinea, asked its president Alpha Conde if he was optimistic about the virus being contained.
“I am optimistic but there is still reason to worry because while things are improving in Guinea, it is spreading in Sierra Leone,” he said.
“You know the region has common border areas between Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia. And that is where Ebola began. So while it is not fully over and done with there, there are always risks of contamination. That is why I can’t say I am optimistic as long as it has not been successfully eradicated completely in the three countries, because there is always the possibility of someone coming from Sierra Leone into Guinea, or from Liberia. But I think the situation is improving.”
In Sierra Leone, authorities found a patient whose family sparked a nationwide hunt when they forcefully removed her from a treatment centre and took her to a traditional healer. She died while being sent back to hospital.
Ebola can kill up to 90 percent of those who catch it.
As the death tolls rises in West Africa, and Nigeria confirmed its first case, more tales of human tragedy are emerging.
Ebola has killed some 660 people in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone since it was first diagnosed in February.
Those treating victims can be at risk and a 33-year-old American doctor working for a relief group in Liberia’s capital has tested positive for the tropical disease.
François Chignac, our correspondent in Guinea, asked its president Alpha Conde if he was optimistic about the virus being contained.
“I am optimistic but there is still reason to worry because while things are improving in Guinea, it is spreading in Sierra Leone,” he said.
“You know the region has common border areas between Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia. And that is where Ebola began. So while it is not fully over and done with there, there are always risks of contamination. That is why I can’t say I am optimistic as long as it has not been successfully eradicated completely in the three countries, because there is always the possibility of someone coming from Sierra Leone into Guinea, or from Liberia. But I think the situation is improving.”
In Sierra Leone, authorities found a patient whose family sparked a nationwide hunt when they forcefully removed her from a treatment centre and took her to a traditional healer. She died while being sent back to hospital.
Ebola can kill up to 90 percent of those who catch it.