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 in Liberia and Guinea, with Sierra Leone set to follow within weeks. WHO has a goal of halting the Ebola epidemic by mid-2015.
The WHO's Assistant Director-General Bruce Aylward said it is stepping up its efforts to trace people who had close contact with Ebola victims. The WHO had set a '70-70-60' target on October 1- isolate 70 percent of Ebola patients in treatment centers in the three countries and to ensure that 70 percent of the bodies of victims are buried safely within 60 days. This target had been met in everything except Sierra Leone's isolation rate which should be met in the coming weeks.
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.
Ebola cases in the three worst affected west African countries was fairly stable, from 1,000 a week in early October to 1,100 now.
Source: Medindia
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