Ebola Virus Outbreak Continues in West Africa: Death Toll Over 140

Once thought to be slowing down, the Ebola Virus outbreak is still ongoing, totaling 242 cases and over 140 deaths in the West African countries of Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone. Mali has also reported suspected cases of the virus.

The news comes from a report via the World Health Organization on April 22. Guinea's Ministry of Health has recorded 208 cases of the virus with 136 deaths (169 cases were lab confirmed, as were 69 deaths). This is concerning for health officials because on April 15, there were only 159 cases recorded.

As a result, WHO declared that the virus could continue spreading for months and kill more people. The number of new cases rapidly decreased over a week ago, but new cases have surfaced and the health ministry cannot declare that the outbreak is completely under control.

This is the first time the disease has been present in West Africa; previously, it affected countries in Central and Eastern Africa, including Nzara, Sudan, Yambuku, and the Democratic Republic of Congo. The fatality rate is similar for each of the outbreaks in Africa, ranging from anywhere between 71% and 90%.

Doctors Without Borders, the international organization that delivers medical assistance to those affected by conflict, epidemics, disasters, or lack of access to health care, established treatment facilities throughout Guinea to help halt the spread of the virus. The staff's treatments proved effective before this recent surge in outbreaks, as they've been quarantining patients and providing them with intravenous fluids to improve their state of weakness and dehydration.

As the medical staffs, heath ministry, and World Health Organization continue to work together to stave off the virus, there exists no timetable for it being eradicated from West Africa. The virus was first present in the region around December, which has prompted the United States and Europe to help the causes as well.

"Once we no longer have any new cases ... we can say that it is totally under control," said Rafi Diallo, a spokesman for Guinea's Health Ministry, in this Reuters article.