The World Health Organization has been accused of dithering
in reacting to the deadly Ebola epidemic, by the Belgian microbiologist, Peter
Piot who co-discovered the Ebola virus.
In an interview to Doha-based broadcaster Al Jazeera, Peter
Piot who is director of the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine said,
"It took three months for the WHO to find out there was an Ebola outbreak.
That I understand. Guinea had a poor laboratory infrastructure. I have much
more of a problem with the fact that it took five months for WHO - for the
international health regulations committee, for that's what it is - to declare
this a state of emergency. It took too long. We wasted too much precious time."
Ebola Virus Disease
Ebola is caused by a virus via direct contact with body fluids or infected blood. Scientists have identified five types of Ebola or Ebola hemorrhagic fever virus.
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Authorities in Guinea and the WHO declared on March 24, 2014 that since January the west African country had recorded 87 suspected cases of viral hemorrhagic fever, including 61 deaths. Scientists who were studying samples in the French city of Lyon also confirmed it was Ebola. However, the WHO did not declare the outbreak a 'public health emergency of international concern' until August 8, 2014.
In Piot's opinion the response to Ebola needed to address
both the lack of robust healthcare systems and the cultural habits and belief
systems prevalent in the affected countries. He also blamed the mass hysteria in
North America which led to quarantine of people returning from west Africa as a
major deterrent and disincentive for supporting the countries in west Africa.
The Ebola outbreak has claimed 6,070 lives, according to the latest WHO update, with the vast majority of deaths in Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone.
Source: Medindia
The Ebola outbreak has claimed 6,070 lives, according to the latest WHO update, with the vast majority of deaths in Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone.
Source: Medindia
WHO Meets Targets to Reduce Ebola Spread
The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported of having achieved the targets to reduce the spread of Ebola by isolating patients and burying bodies safely.
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Ebola Hit Sierra Leone Quarantines More Than Half the PopulationIn an effort to stem the spread of Ebola, Tonkolili, is the sixth district which no one is allowed to leave or enter without special dispensation. | Advertisement
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'Invest in Health, Build a Safer Future': World Health Day
There is a need for greater co-operation between governments, corporate sector and citizens to ensure international preparedness and to provide a universal safety net to deal with global health issues
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