Ebola outbreak could infect 20,000 people: WHO
- 10 years ago
Ebola continues to ravage communities in four West African countries, with well over 3,000 cases now reported.
But in Switzerland, the World Health Organization says the deadly epidemic may have already infected two to four times that many people, and could potentially infect over 20,000 before the outbreak is contained.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION (WHO)'S ASSISTANT DIRECTOR-GENERAL FOR POLIO, EMERGENCIES AND COUNTRY COLLABORATION, BRUCE AYLWARD, SAYING:
"So 20,000 is the scale that has, I think, not ever been anticipated in terms of an Ebola outbreak."
The W-H-O says it's putting into place a half billion dollar operation to tackle Ebola, spread over six to nine months, and based on projections that the epidemic could spread to ten more nations.
This isn't a regional or a West African issue, it said.
It's a global health security issue that needs an international response.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) WHO'S ASSISTANT DIRECTOR-GENE
But in Switzerland, the World Health Organization says the deadly epidemic may have already infected two to four times that many people, and could potentially infect over 20,000 before the outbreak is contained.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION (WHO)'S ASSISTANT DIRECTOR-GENERAL FOR POLIO, EMERGENCIES AND COUNTRY COLLABORATION, BRUCE AYLWARD, SAYING:
"So 20,000 is the scale that has, I think, not ever been anticipated in terms of an Ebola outbreak."
The W-H-O says it's putting into place a half billion dollar operation to tackle Ebola, spread over six to nine months, and based on projections that the epidemic could spread to ten more nations.
This isn't a regional or a West African issue, it said.
It's a global health security issue that needs an international response.
(SOUNDBITE) (English) WHO'S ASSISTANT DIRECTOR-GENE