Ebola kills at least 399 in West Africa - WHO
- 10 years ago
In Sierra Leone, battling the deadliest outbreak of Ebola since 1976. The World Health Organization say it has already claimed 399 lives across West Africa.
Doctors here say one thing is behind the deadly disease's rapid spread --- ignorance.
SOUNDBITE: DR SHEK MOAR KHAN, HEAD OF THE LASSA FEVER PROGRAMME SAYING:
"For some reasons, we tried explaining it as best as possible to our people, reaching them through our outreach team, through the communities through paramount chiefs, religious elders. For them to understand that this disease is natural. It is not a mystery, but simply it is a disease that somebody can acquire, and if only they could listen appropriately to our advice, then we can break the chain of transmission."
Dr. Shek Moar Khan, Head Of The Lassa Fever Programme says many local residents ignore the symptoms - and wishes more people would just come in get tested. Even worse, they allow the uninfected to handle the burials of those impacted.
Doctors here say one thing is behind the deadly disease's rapid spread --- ignorance.
SOUNDBITE: DR SHEK MOAR KHAN, HEAD OF THE LASSA FEVER PROGRAMME SAYING:
"For some reasons, we tried explaining it as best as possible to our people, reaching them through our outreach team, through the communities through paramount chiefs, religious elders. For them to understand that this disease is natural. It is not a mystery, but simply it is a disease that somebody can acquire, and if only they could listen appropriately to our advice, then we can break the chain of transmission."
Dr. Shek Moar Khan, Head Of The Lassa Fever Programme says many local residents ignore the symptoms - and wishes more people would just come in get tested. Even worse, they allow the uninfected to handle the burials of those impacted.