The death toll from the worst Ebola outbreak in history has jumped by almost 200 in a single day to at least 2,296 and is already likely to be higher than that, the World Health Organization said on Tuesday.
The WHO said it had recorded 4,293 cases in five West African countries as of September 6. But it still did not have new figures for Liberia, the worst-affected country, suggesting the true toll is already much higher.
The WHO has said it expects thousands of new cases in Liberia in the next three weeks.
The world would have saved from facing this situation had timely measures been taken. Locally and Internationally the poor response to the outbreak has led the disease to turn into an epidemic.
The nations worst affected with the epidemic — Sierra Leone, Liberia and Guinea — have great numbers of poor and illiterate population and minimal infrastucture to combat the outbreak. They have the world's worst literacy rate making it harder for awareness on Ebola prevention to reach the masses.
The illiteracy also has resulted in the locals reliance on superstition and black magic as cures for Ebola.
Absence of good healthcare systems meant the nations would have to grapple with finding mechanisms tackle the situation,
According to reports, the outbreak happened in Guinea in 2013 but local health authorities identified the disease only after four months. Even after the recognition of the situation, it didn't garner needful response from major international organizations.
To make things worse the WHO faced annual budget cuts at the epidemic response department making it gravely difficult to provide immediate necesary help,
Many local quarantines have not been succesful leading to further spread of the disease.
Also actions taken to contain the epidemic are leading to blocking of necessary amenities reaching Ebola affected nations. The international flight alerts have impeded the supply of important goods and services. Infact the lack of food and other supplies are hurting these regions more.
(With Agency inputs)
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