Ebola Cases Top 10,000 in Eight Countries

GLOBAL HEALTH EMERGENCY
EMERGING & RE-EMERGING INFECTIOUS DISEASES
VIRAL HEMORRHAGIC FEVERS
EBOLA EPIDEMIC IN WEST AFRICA
SCENARIOS 797, 444, 333, 080, 011
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Ebola cases reach 10,141 with 4,922 deaths: WHO

The World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed 10,141 cases of Ebola infections—and 4,922 deaths—so far this year.

Nearly all of the infections have occurred in three West African countries: Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone.

Some 27 cases have been reported outside of West Africa, namely in Mali, Nigeria, Senegal, Spain and the United States, resulting in 10 fatalities.

“A total of 10,141 confirmed, probable, and suspected cases of Ebola virus disease (EVD) have been reported in six affected countries (Guinea, Liberia, Mali, Sierra Leone, Spain, and the United States of America) and two previously affected countries (Nigeria, Senegal) up to the end of 23 October. There have been 4,922 reported deaths.” WHO said.

Liberia remains the worst affected country, with 2,705 reported fatalities. Sierra Leone has reported 1,281 deaths and Guinea has lost 926 people to EVD.

Mandatory Quarantine

A New York City doctor was diagnosed with Ebola this week. Dr Craig Spencer was on a Doctors Without Borders mission in Guinea and developed a fever after returning home.

The latest infection has prompted the governors of the states of New York and New Jersey to order a mandatory 21-day quarantine period for all health workers and visitors who may have had contact with Ebola patients in West Africa.

Ebola Stats

• At least 10,141 cases of Ebola have been reported, with 4,922 fatalities  from the outbreak, mainly in West Africa, so far this year, according to The World Health Organization (WHO).
• Most of the fatalities have occurred in Sierra Leone, Liberia and Guinea.
• WHO warns the infection rate could reach 20,000 in early November, with 5,000 to 10,000 new cases per week by December 2014 if the response remains inadequate.

Ebola in Brief

Symptoms of Ebola include

• Fever (greater than 38.6°C or 101.5°F)
• Severe headache
• Muscle pain
• Weakness
• Diarrhea
• Vomiting
• Abdominal pain
• Unexplained hemorrhage (bleeding or bruising)

Symptoms may appear anywhere from 2 to 21 days after exposure to Ebola, but the average is 8 to 10 days.

Recovery from Ebola depends on the patient’s immune response. People who recover from Ebola infection develop antibodies that last for at least 10 years. [Source: CDC]

U.S. Health Emergency

Gov. Malloy declared a “public health emergency” for the state of Connecticut last week and signed an order authorizing the Department of Public Health to quarantine potentially infected individuals/groups.

In Massachusetts and New Hampshire, the respective state health commissioners have the authority to quarantine anyone suspected of exposure to Ebola virus.

Global Health Emergency

WHO declared the Ebola outbreak in West Africa  a ‘Public Health Emergency of International Concern,’ under the International Health Regulations on August 8, 2014.

All Other U.S.-Based Outbreaks [sourced from CDC]

• Acute Neurological Illness with Focal Limb Weakness in Children, Undetermined Origin Announced September 2014
• Cilantro – Cyclosporiasis (Texas) Announced September 2014
• Almond and Peanut Butter – Salmonella Braenderup Announced August 2014
• Live Poultry – Salmonella Infantis and Newport Announced May 2014
• Serogroup B meningococcal disease outbreak at University of California, Santa Barbara Announced December 2013
• Serogroup B meningococcal disease outbreak at Princeton University Announced December 2013
• Fungal Meningitis and Other Infections – Multistate outbreak Announced October 2013

Outbreaks Affecting International Travelers

See the Travelers’ Health site for a complete list.

• MERS-CoV Announced May 2014
• Ebola Outbreak in West Africa Announced March 2014
• Avian Influenza A (H7N9) Virus  Announced March 2013

Related Links

• Ebola and Other Outbreaks in U.S. October 15, 2014
• Connecticut Declares Ebola Health Emergency, Authorizes Quarantines October 8, 2014
• Ebola outbreak devastating West Africa could spread globally October 1, 2014