Number of Ebola infections in west Africa passes 16,000

[uppityperson]

Source: Guardian

Death toll from virus outbreak nears 7,000 as World Health Organisation warns figures may be significant underestimation

The number of people with Ebola in west Africa has risen above 16,000, with the death toll from the outbreak reaching almost 7,000, the World Health Organisation (WHO) says.

The number of deaths is more than 1,000 higher than the figure issued by the WHO just two days ago, but it is thought to include deaths that have gone unreported in the weeks or months since the outbreak began. Most of the new deaths were recorded in Liberia.

The WHO has warned that its figures could be a significant underestimation of the number of infections and deaths. Data from the outbreak has been patchy and the totals often rise considerably when backlogs of information are cleared. The latest confirmed data shows that almost half those known to have been infected with Ebola have died.

Meanwhile, two children tested for Ebola after arriving in Britain from Africa are not infected, Public Health England confirmed on Saturday. It said the overall risk to the public of the virus continued to be “very low”.

Read more: http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/nov/29/ebola-infections-west-africa-16000

[undeterred]

1. Getting better in Liberia

but worse in Sierra Leone.

[greatlaurel]

2. Where are all the people complaining about this who were on here before the election?

This is shameful that this epidemic has dropped out of the news since the election is over. Good grief.

Thanks for the update on this health crisis.

[quadrature]

3. right here ... what do you expect me to do?

I am still calling for ...

shut down air travel from(and in) Africa.
close borders in the region, to non-essential traffic.

shut down non-essential activity,
in the 3 worst affected countries,
these countries will need $$$international help,
because of reduced economic activity.
But the 3national-gov'ts-involved don't see it that way.

among other actions.