Saturday, September 06, 2014

UN Issues International Rescue Call for Ebola Outbreak
Healthcare workers in West Africa tackling the Ebola virus.
Visual artists hold rally to draw attention to Ebola outbreak in West Africa

06/09/2014

(Vatican Radio)  The United Nations has sent what has been called "an international rescue" call to respond to the Ebola outbreak in West Africa.

The UN says it is establishing an ``Ebola Crisis Center'' with a goal of stopping transmission in affected countries within six to nine months and preventing the international spread of the virus.

Speaking to press after an emergency meeting with UN leaders Friday Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon that $600 million is urgently needed for supplies to combat Ebola in West Africa.

He again urged airlines and shipping countries to lift their bans on flights and port visits so doctors, nurses, beds, medical equipment and supplies can reach those in need.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) said on Friday blood-derived products and serum from survivors may be used to treat Ebola virus immediately and two vaccines could be available for health workers by year-end.

But good clinical care, rigorous infection prevention and control measures, and the tracing of people who have been exposed remain crucial for ending the  epidemic.

The death toll in the Ebola outbreak in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone totaled 2,097 as at Sept 5, out of 3,944 cases.

A further eight people have died in Nigeria and there is 1 confirmed case in Senegal. That puts the death toll at a total of 2,105 and the number of patients infected so far at 3,968.

(Emer McCarthy)

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