The Ebola outbreak that has gripped the West African nation of Guinea has now claimed the lives of 63 people, according to The Washington Post. The deadly virus continues to spread as International aid workers rush to isolate patients who have contracted the sickness.
Ebola hemorrhagic fever violently attacks the body, and kills up to 90 percent of those infected, according to CBC. That said, it can only be transmitted through bodily fluids, which impedes its ability to spread. The biggest issue is if someone is not aware if they have the virus, and unwittingly spreads it to other individuals before it can be contained.
"On Monday, two more deaths were reported in our area. People are really frightened," said Joseph Gbaka Sandounou, a unit manager for Plan Internation, in a statement released by the organization. "They have seen people die in a matter of just two or three days. They are constantly worried who is going to be the next fatality."
Ebola causes severe fever and muscle pain in addition to weakness, vomiting and diarrhea, shutting down organs and causing unstoppable bleeding in severe cases, according to The Telegraph. Fortunately, it looks as if the peak of the virus has passed, since officials are seeing a decrease in the daily incidence of the sickness.
The outbreak in Guinea is actually the first in West Africa in 20 years, according to the AP. Because ebola has no vaccine or specific treatment, it's difficult to prevent. Currently, volunteers are working to halt its spread and quarantine the individuals who have already contracted the illness.
"We are not at the end of this epidemic, we continue every day to record a number of new cases or fatalities," said Sakoba Keita, Guinea's chief disease prevention officer, in an interview with The Telegraph. "But the daily incidence is lessening. We believe the peak has passed."
