Ebola Outbreak Spreads In Guinea, Spills Over to Sierra Leone, Liberia

News outlets report on the Ebola outbreak in West Africa.

Associated Press: Senegal closes border with Guinea over Ebola fears
“Senegal has closed its land border with neighboring Guinea to prevent the spread of the Ebola outbreak, which has killed at least 70 people…” (3/30).

Associated Press: 8 cases of Ebola turn up in Guinea’s capital
“Health officials in the West African nation of Guinea say they’re now treating eight cases of Ebola in the capital. Dr. Sakoba Keita, a spokesman for the health ministry, announced on national television the virus had reached the city of three million…” (3/28).

CNN: Guinea: Ebola death toll reaches 70
“At least 70 people are reported to have died from Ebola hemorrhagic fever in Guinea, according to a statement from the West African nation’s health ministry…” (Capelouto/Bah, 3/31).

Financial Times: Spread of deadly Ebola virus to West Africa puts health experts on alert
“It has been among the world’s most feared infectious diseases since its discovery in the jungles of central Africa in 1976. But never, until last month, had the Ebola virus been detected as far west on the continent as Guinea. The outbreak — it has so far caused 66 deaths out of 103 suspected cases, with further possible infections in neighboring Sierra Leone and Liberia — has left authorities trying to prevent a regional epidemic for which they are woefully ill-prepared…” (Ward, 3/28).

Foreign Policy: Don’t Kiss the Cadaver
“Despite millions of dollars in research on vaccines and treatments, the deadly and frightening Ebola virus is best tackled today the same way it was during its first epidemic in 1976: With soap, clean water, protective gear, and quarantine…” (Garrett, 3/30).

Reuters: Liberian health authorities confirm two cases of Ebola: WHO
“The World Health Organization (WHO) said on Sunday that Liberia has confirmed two cases of the deadly Ebola virus that is suspected to have killed at least 70 people in Guinea. The outbreak of the highly contagious Ebola, which in its more acute phase, causes vomiting, diarrhea, and external bleeding, has sent Guinea’s West African neighbors scrambling to contain the spread of the disease…” (Toweh, 3/30).

U.N. News Centre: U.N. agency urges vigilance amid Ebola outbreak in Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia
“With a total of 103 suspected and confirmed cases of Ebola in Guinea, including 66 deaths, the outbreak must be watched very carefully, a spokesperson for the United Nations health agency said today, noting that there is no treatment or cure for the frequently fatal disease…” (3/28).

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