Ebola patients buying survivors' blood from black market, WHO warns
EBOLA- It seems Africans have graduated from selling their body organs like kidney, liver into selling of blood. It is not just the sale of normal blood but blood of ebola survivors in the black market. According to research, there are antibodies in the blood of ebola survivors which can cure ebola patients if infused in their blood.
U.S. steps up efforts in Ebola fight |
According to CNN: As hospitals in nations hardest hit by
Ebola struggle to keep up, desperate patients are turning to the black
market to buy blood from survivors of the virus, the World Health
Organization warned.
The deadliest Ebola
outbreak in history has killed at least 2,400 people in Guinea, Liberia
and Sierra Leone -- the countries most affected by the virus.
Obama: Ebola threat could become 'global' |
"Studies suggest blood transfusions from survivors might prevent or treat Ebola virus
infection in others, but the results of the studies are still difficult
to interpret," the WHO said. "It is not known whether antibodies in the
plasma of survivors are sufficient to treat or prevent the disease.
More research is needed."
WHO: West Africa can't keep up with Ebola |
But unlike their
situation, patients in affected nations are getting blood through
improper channels. The illicit trade can lead to the spread of other
infections, including HIV and other blood-related ailments.
Photos: Ebola outbreak in West Africa |
"Because it is in the interest of individuals not to just get convalescent serum without ... going through the proper standard and the proper testing because it is important that there may be other infectious vectors that we need to look at."
'Not 1 bed' available for Ebola patients |
President Barack Obama
on Tuesday announced the United States will send troops, material to
build field hospitals, additional health care workers and community care
kits to affected nations. The United States will also create a facility
to help train thousands of health care workers to identify and care for
Ebola patients.
"Men and women and children are just sitting, waiting to die right now," Obama said.
Doctor 'improving' after Ebola diagnosis |
"If the outbreak is not
stopped now, we could be looking at hundreds of thousands of people
infected with profound political and economic and security implications
for all of us," Obama said.
What you need to know about the Ebola virus
Gates Foundation to donate $50 million |
Ebola currently
transmits only though contact with bodily fluids; a mutation that allows
the virus to spread through the air would pose a catastrophic threat to
people worldwide, experts say.
Meanwhile, a French
volunteer with Doctors Without Borders contracted Ebola in Liberia and
will be taken to France for further treatment, the group said Thursday.
A private American plane
will be used for the evacuation, according to the organization, which
is known by its French acronym, MSF.
Category: Health Matters
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