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Ebola: Mapping the outbreak Ebola: Mapping the outbreak
(7 days later)
The Ebola outbreak in West Africa was first reported in March 2014, and has rapidly become the deadliest occurrence of the disease since its discovery in 1976.The Ebola outbreak in West Africa was first reported in March 2014, and has rapidly become the deadliest occurrence of the disease since its discovery in 1976.
In fact, the current epidemic sweeping across the region has now killed more than all other known Ebola outbreaks combined.In fact, the current epidemic sweeping across the region has now killed more than all other known Ebola outbreaks combined.
Up to 18 November, 5,459 people had been reported as having died from the disease in six countries; Liberia, Guinea, Sierra Leone, Nigeria, the United States and Mali. Up to 23 November, 5,689 people had been reported as having died from the disease in six countries; Liberia, Guinea, Sierra Leone, Nigeria, the United States and Mali.
The total number of reported cases is in excess of 15,000.The total number of reported cases is in excess of 15,000.
The World Health Organization (WHO) admits the figures are underestimates given the difficulty collecting the data and warns there could be as many as 20,000 cases by the end of November if efforts to tackle the outbreak are not stepped up. The World Health Organization (WHO) admits the figures are underestimates, given the difficulty collecting the data.
Emergency declared
In August, the United Nations health agency declared an "international public health emergency", saying that a co-ordinated response was essential to halt the spread of the virus.
By September, WHO director general Margaret Chan said that the "number of patients is moving far faster than the capacity to manage them".
Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the US, Thomas Frieden, said in October that the Ebola outbreak in West Africa is unlike anything since the emergence of HIV/Aids.
The WHO has declared the outbreaks in Nigeria and Senegal officially over, as there have been no new cases reported since 5 September.The WHO has declared the outbreaks in Nigeria and Senegal officially over, as there have been no new cases reported since 5 September.
Medical charity Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF), which employs thousands of staff across West Africa battling the disease, confirmed this week that Liberia has seen a significant reduction in the number of new Ebola cases.Medical charity Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF), which employs thousands of staff across West Africa battling the disease, confirmed this week that Liberia has seen a significant reduction in the number of new Ebola cases.
Liberia, the worst-hit country of the Ebola outbreak with more than 2,500 deaths, reported that two-thirds of the 696 beds in the country's treatment centres were empty. Liberia, the worst-hit country of the Ebola outbreak with more than 3,000 deaths, reported that two-thirds of the 696 beds in the country's treatment centres were empty.
MSF warned that the disease could "flare up" again, pointing to Guinea, where the number of cases is rising again despite two significant lulls. Cases are also still on the rise in Sierra Leone.MSF warned that the disease could "flare up" again, pointing to Guinea, where the number of cases is rising again despite two significant lulls. Cases are also still on the rise in Sierra Leone.
Current outbreak How the virus spread: Ebola death toll
Researchers from the New England Journal of Medicine have traced the outbreak to a two-year-old toddler, who died on 6 December 2013 in Meliandou, a small village in south-eastern Guinea. Researchers from the New England Journal of Medicine have traced the outbreak to a two-year-old toddler, who died in December 2013 in Meliandou, a small village in south-eastern Guinea.
In March, hospital staff alerted Guinea's Ministry of Health and then the charity Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF). They reported a mysterious disease in the south-eastern regions of Gueckedou, Macenta, Nzerekore, and Kissidougou. In March, hospital staff alerted Guinea's Ministry of Health and then MSF. They reported a mysterious disease in the south-eastern regions of Gueckedou, Macenta, Nzerekore, and Kissidougou.
It caused fever, diarrhoea and vomiting. It also had a high death rate. Of the first 86 cases, 59 people died.It caused fever, diarrhoea and vomiting. It also had a high death rate. Of the first 86 cases, 59 people died.
The WHO later confirmed the disease as Ebola.The WHO later confirmed the disease as Ebola.
Ebola outbreak: Key storiesEbola outbreak: Key stories
"Biggest health challenge since Aids""Biggest health challenge since Aids"
How not to catch EbolaHow not to catch Ebola
Why is Ebola so dangerous?Why is Ebola so dangerous?
Ebola diaryEbola diary
Tracing the outbreak
Full special reportFull special report
Disease spreadsDisease spreads
Gueckedou is a major regional trading centre and, by the end of March, Ebola had crossed the border into Liberia and it was confirmed in Sierra Leone in May. The Gueckedou prefecture in Guinea, where the outbreak started, is a major regional trading centre and, by the end of March, Ebola had crossed the border into Liberia. It was confirmed in Sierra Leone in May.
In June, MSF described the Ebola outbreak as out of control.In June, MSF described the Ebola outbreak as out of control.
Nigeria had its first case of the disease in July and in the same month two leading doctors died from Ebola in Liberia and Sierra Leone. Senegal reported its first case of Ebola on 29 August. A young man from Guinea had travelled to Senegal despite having been infected with the virus, officials said. Nigeria had its first case of the disease in July and, in the same month, two leading doctors died from Ebola in Liberia and Sierra Leone.
In August, the United Nations health agency declared an "international public health emergency", saying that a co-ordinated response was essential to halt the spread of the virus.
Senegal reported its first case of Ebola on 29 August. A young man from Guinea had travelled to Senegal despite having been infected with the virus, officials said.
By September, WHO director general Margaret Chan said the number of patients was "moving far faster than the capacity to manage them".
Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the US, Thomas Frieden, said in October that the Ebola outbreak in West Africa was unlike anything since the emergence of HIV/Aids.
Authorities in Mali confirmed the death of the country's first Ebola patient, a two-year-old girl, on 25 October. The girl had travelled hundreds of kilometres by bus from Guinea through Mali showing symptoms of the disease, the WHO said.
Mali is currently battling a second wave of the deadly virus.
An infected Islamic preacher from Guinea, who was initially diagnosed with a kidney problem, was treated at a clinic in Bamako. The preacher died a few days after entering the country.
Two health workers who cared for the preacher also died after contracting the virus. In total, Mali has recorded six deaths from Ebola.
Ebola outside West Africa
The first case of the deadly virus diagnosed on US soil was announced on 1 October. Thomas Eric Duncan, 42, who contracted the virus in Liberia before travelling to the US, died on 8 October.The first case of the deadly virus diagnosed on US soil was announced on 1 October. Thomas Eric Duncan, 42, who contracted the virus in Liberia before travelling to the US, died on 8 October.
He had not displayed symptoms of the disease until 24 September, five days after his arrival. Other people with whom he came into contact are being monitored for symptoms.He had not displayed symptoms of the disease until 24 September, five days after his arrival. Other people with whom he came into contact are being monitored for symptoms.
Two medical workers in Dallas, Texas, who treated Duncan have tested positive for Ebola since his death and are receiving treatment. Two medical workers in Dallas, Texas, who treated Duncan tested positive for Ebola since his death but have both recovered.
Spanish nurse Teresa Romero was the first person to contract the virus outside West Africa. She was part of a team of about 30 staff at the Carlos II hospital in Madrid looking after two missionaries who returned from Liberia and Sierra Leone after becoming infected.Spanish nurse Teresa Romero was the first person to contract the virus outside West Africa. She was part of a team of about 30 staff at the Carlos II hospital in Madrid looking after two missionaries who returned from Liberia and Sierra Leone after becoming infected.
Germany, Norway and France and the UK have all treated patients who contracted the virus in West Africa. Germany, Norway, France, Italy, Switzerland and the UK have all treated patients who contracted the virus in West Africa.
Cumulative deaths up to 18 November Are cases levelling off?
The WHO has published updates on the spread of the virus in each of the countries affected. Efforts to tackle Ebola have been hindered by fierce resistance from local communities with a history of suspicion towards outside intervention.
The figures given are for "confirmed, probable and suspected" cases and deaths. They have occasionally been revised down to take account of changes in the countries' reporting methods, for example by excluding the "suspected" cases. This has enabled new chains of transmission to pop up.
Over the last few weeks, health officials admit that the disease is now entering a new phase, with a marked slowing down in the some of the affected areas in the three countries, especially Guinea and Liberia.
According to the WHO, transmission remains intense in Sierra Leone, especially in the country's west and north
2014 outbreak in context2014 outbreak in context
Ebola was first identified in 1976 and occurs in regions of sub-Saharan Africa. There are normally fewer than 500 cases reported each year, and no cases were reported at all between 1979 and 1994.Ebola was first identified in 1976 and occurs in regions of sub-Saharan Africa. There are normally fewer than 500 cases reported each year, and no cases were reported at all between 1979 and 1994.
In August 2014 the WHO confirmed a separate outbreak of Ebola in the Democratic Republic of Congo. By the beginning of October there had been 70 cases reported and 43 deaths.In August 2014 the WHO confirmed a separate outbreak of Ebola in the Democratic Republic of Congo. By the beginning of October there had been 70 cases reported and 43 deaths.
However, the outbreak in DR Congo is a different strain of the virus and unrelated to the epidemic in West Africa, which now dwarfs all previous outbreaks.However, the outbreak in DR Congo is a different strain of the virus and unrelated to the epidemic in West Africa, which now dwarfs all previous outbreaks.
Past epidemicsPast epidemics