Few days back, authorities in Sierra Leone issued a three day lockdown for its citizens, in order to prevent the contamination and spreading of the deadly Ebola virus. Sierra Leone is the country with some of the highest numbers of contamination with the Ebola virus: 2800 infections out of which 550 deaths so far. Authorities have stated that the lock down was a real success and that they will not be prolonging it further on because its main objectives have been mostly reached. They also declared that they were able to identify new infected individuals and they also found close to 100 bodies. Since the bodies of Ebola victims are highly contagious and dangerous, they need to be properly handled, in order to contain the disease.
There have been numerous health groups and health organizations against the Sierra Leone lockdown, implemented by the authorities. They based their position and statements on the idea that locals will lose trust in the authorities, as well as in the health care professionals located in the country. Authorities are satisfied with the results. In case these new found infected individuals hadn’t been reached in time, they would have been able to continue spreading the virus.
More than 30,000 volunteer medical care specialists relocated to the infected area, in order to provide proper care and distribute hygiene and sanitary aids, such as soap.
Ebola virus is a highly deadly disease. Its symptoms include the following: high fever, nervous system breakdown or bleeding. It can be contacted by exchange of bodily fluids, such as saliva or blood. Sadly, its incubation period is 21 days, so individuals who might have contacted the disease, cannot really know for sure until the symptoms start showing. So far, specialists have not been able to come up with a cure or vaccine, in order to prevent the contamination with Ebola; up to this moment, the mortality rate of the current outbreak is 55%.
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The three-day lockdown implemented by Sierra Leone has been the most drastic measure taken to prevent the contamination of Ebola, by any African country. Other African countries highly affected by Ebola are: Liberia (1,450 deaths), Guinea (600 deaths), Nigeria (8 deaths).