Workers from Doctors Without Borders unload emergency medical supplies to deal with an Ebola outbreak in Conakry, Guinea, March 23, 2014.
Ebola Death Toll Rises to 59 in Guinea
Health officials say an outbreak of hemorrhagic fever linked to the Ebola virus now has killed 59 people in the West African nation of Guinea.
The World Health Organization reports 86 suspected Ebola cases in Guinea, 13 of which have been confirmed by lab results.
This outbreak has been centered in rural parts of southeastern Guinea, including the areas of Gueckedou and Macenta.
Ebola Hemorrhagic Fever
Ebola Hemorrhagic Fever
severe, often fatal disease in humans and non-human primates
has appeared sporadically since initial recognition in 1976
named after a river in the Democratic Republic of Congo
can be spread from direct contact with blood and/or secretions of infected people
symptoms include fever, weakness, muscle pain, headache and sore throat, in some cases followed by internal and external bleeding
no specific treatment is available
Source: CDC
A statement from the medical aid group Doctors Without Borders says it is working with Guinea's health ministry to set up isolation facilities in the two areas.
The WHO said on its Twitter feed Monday that tests for two suspected cases in the capital, Conakry, came back negative.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Health in neighboring Liberia reports five suspected Ebola-related deaths. It says the victims were three Liberians and two Guineans who had crossed the border from Guinea for treatment.
Ebola Infections and Deaths
Ebola is one of the most highly contagious viral diseases, and causes symptoms that include high fever, vomiting, diarrhea and bleeding.
Health officials say caretakers should minimize direct or close contact with infected patients, and wash their hands frequently.
An Ebola outbreak in Uganda in 2012 killed at least 16 people.
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