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Ebola crisis: Outbreak death toll rises to 4,447 says WHO | Ebola crisis: Outbreak death toll rises to 4,447 says WHO |
(35 minutes later) | |
The death toll from the Ebola virus outbreak has risen to 4,447, with the large majority of victims in West Africa, the World Health Organization (WHO) says. | The death toll from the Ebola virus outbreak has risen to 4,447, with the large majority of victims in West Africa, the World Health Organization (WHO) says. |
WHO assistant director-general Bruce Aylward also said there could be up to 10,000 new cases a week within two months if efforts were not stepped up, | WHO assistant director-general Bruce Aylward also said there could be up to 10,000 new cases a week within two months if efforts were not stepped up, |
But the rate of new infections in some areas has slowed down, he added. | But the rate of new infections in some areas has slowed down, he added. |
Sierra Leone, Liberia and Guinea have been hardest hit by the outbreak. | Sierra Leone, Liberia and Guinea have been hardest hit by the outbreak. |
There have been 8,914 cases overall, including the fatal cases, and the WHO says it expects this number to top 9,000 by the end of the week. | There have been 8,914 cases overall, including the fatal cases, and the WHO says it expects this number to top 9,000 by the end of the week. |
The WHO estimates its figures by taking the numbers of confirmed cases and multiplying them - from Guinea by 1.5, from Sierra Leone by 2 and from Liberia by 2.5 - to account for under-reporting. | The WHO estimates its figures by taking the numbers of confirmed cases and multiplying them - from Guinea by 1.5, from Sierra Leone by 2 and from Liberia by 2.5 - to account for under-reporting. |
In other developments: | In other developments: |
Ebola patients treated outside West Africa* | Ebola patients treated outside West Africa* |
*In all cases but two, first in Madrid and later in Dallas, the patient was infected with Ebola while in West Africa. | *In all cases but two, first in Madrid and later in Dallas, the patient was infected with Ebola while in West Africa. |
How not to catch Ebola: | How not to catch Ebola: |
Why Ebola is so dangerous | Why Ebola is so dangerous |
How Ebola attacks | How Ebola attacks |
Ebola: Mapping the outbreak | Ebola: Mapping the outbreak |
Still spreading | Still spreading |
Mr Aylward told reporters in Geneva that the WHO, which is the UN's health agency, was concerned to see the virus was still spreading in the capitals of the three worst-affected countries. | Mr Aylward told reporters in Geneva that the WHO, which is the UN's health agency, was concerned to see the virus was still spreading in the capitals of the three worst-affected countries. |
He said the death rate in the current Ebola outbreak was 70%, describing it as a "high-mortality disease". | He said the death rate in the current Ebola outbreak was 70%, describing it as a "high-mortality disease". |
He said 95% of cases were limited to areas in the "historic epicentre" of the outbreak, where the rate of new infections appeared to be slowing. | He said 95% of cases were limited to areas in the "historic epicentre" of the outbreak, where the rate of new infections appeared to be slowing. |
However, he stressed that it would be too early to read this as success. | However, he stressed that it would be too early to read this as success. |
The latest WHO projections suggested there could be between 5,000 and 10,000 cases a week in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone by December. | The latest WHO projections suggested there could be between 5,000 and 10,000 cases a week in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone by December. |
"It could be higher, it could be lower but it's going to be in that ballpark," he said. | "It could be higher, it could be lower but it's going to be in that ballpark," he said. |
"In certain areas we're seeing disease coming down, but that doesn't mean they're going to go to zero." | "In certain areas we're seeing disease coming down, but that doesn't mean they're going to go to zero." |
'Must do more' | |
Countries neighbouring the three worst-affected states are "at risk" and it is important for them to prepare for the possibility of Ebola cases, the WHO said. | Countries neighbouring the three worst-affected states are "at risk" and it is important for them to prepare for the possibility of Ebola cases, the WHO said. |
Also on Tuesday, US President Barack Obama said that "the world as a whole is not doing enough" to contain the Ebola threat. | |
He was speaking at the end of a meeting with about 20 US and allied military leaders primarily focused on the threat from Islamic State militants. | |
He said the US would continue to do its part but added: "Everybody's going to have to do more than they are doing right now." | |
Ebola deaths: Confirmed, probable and suspected | Ebola deaths: Confirmed, probable and suspected |
Source: WHO | Source: WHO |
Note: figures have occasionally been revised down as suspected or probable cases are found to be unrelated to Ebola. They do not include one death in the US recorded on 8 October. | Note: figures have occasionally been revised down as suspected or probable cases are found to be unrelated to Ebola. They do not include one death in the US recorded on 8 October. |