Ebola
The Disaster: When a two-year old boy got sick and passed away on December 6th, 2013 in the village of Guéckédou, Guinea little did the world know that the biggest outbreak of the Ebola virus was about to happen. At the border of three countries struggling with the effects of past wars the disease rapidly spread amongst the citizens in these impoverished West African countries. Unequipped to deal with it (this was the first time it was ever detected in this region) local aid workers struggled to cope with the mounting numbers of sick and dying. As it spread through Liberia and Sierra Leone killing 35 percent of all infected, the international community responded. The latest count stands at 17,145 infected in eight countries with 592 healthcare workers compromised.
State of Recovery: Ebola has been detected in eight countries and three continents so far. The virus has stabilized for now in Guinea and Liberia, but seems to be rising in Sierra Leone. “We cannot get this under control on our own, it will require a concerted effort from many groups,” says Tim Shank of Doctors Without Borders “It is incredibly difficult to effectively administer aid in war torn areas.” The World Health Organization has declared an international health emergency and is coordinating global response with education, proper burials, and overall sanitation.
Where to Donate: Doctors Without Borders
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