Sierra Leone sounds public health emergency as Ebola continues to spread

The fatal Ebola outbreak has continued to create havoc in the West Africa with Sierra Leone declaring a health emergency.

Sierra Leone President Ernest Bai Koroma on late Wednesday announced the public health emergency in an effort to slowdown the spread of the dangerous disease.

Liberia, which is also facing the wrath of this deadly disease, has earlier expedited its efforts to check the disease. The schools and education institutions were closed and most of the public servants were asked to stay at home in Liberia.

Meanwhile, the US Peace Corps is evacuating its hundreds of volunteers from the affected countries. According to a State Department official, two US Peace Corps workers have been even kept under isolation outside the country following suspicion of Ebola infection, after they came in contact of an infected person who later died.

The World Health Organization (WHO) report says the Ebola outbreak has claimed lives of over 700 people in Sierra Leone, Liberia and Guinea since February this year.

Ebola is showing no signs of slowing down in West Africa, especially in Sierra Leone and Liberia.

According to the WHO, the Ebola outbreak is the largest and deadliest ever in West Africa.

Earlier this week, Ebola claimed life of a senior doctor who risked his own life while treating dozens of Ebola patients in Sierra Leone. He was to be buried on Thursday.

Dr. Sheik Humarr Khan died of Ebola on Tuesday after he was hospitalized in quarantine where he succumbed to his illness. He was honored as a national hero for his contribution in Ebola treatment in Sierra Leone.

“Dr. Sheik Humarr Khan’s death was an irreparable loss of this son of the soil,” the government said.

Fever, weakness, vomiting, poor kidney and liver function, diarrhea, muscle pain, headache, sore throat and skin rash are some of the common symptoms of Ebola. There may be internal and external bleeding in rare cases. The symptoms start appearing between 2 and 21 days. The disease spread through body fluids like blood, saliva, urine and sweat.

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Richard Carlisle

Richard is a product of the 90s and a serious fan of the Star Wars series. He graduated from the University of Florida with a degree in Applied Physiology and Kinesiology; therefore, he has a great understanding of the relationship between physical activity and mental health. Although he has a full- time job in a clinic, he enjoys covering news related to health and the United States.