Month: August 2014

As the major Ebola outbreak in West Africa grew worse, officials advised Americans July 31 to avoid any non-essential travel to the region. The warning came from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The outbreak covers the countries of Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone. The World Health Organization said the number of deaths has reached 729. More than 1,300 suspected cases have occurred. Ebola causes failure of multiple organs. It has no cure. It is caused by a virus. People are contagious only if they are having symptoms that spread body fluids, such as blood or vomit. Because it is not spread easily, CDC officials said the disease is unlikely to reach the United States. One American health-care worker infected with Ebola was expected to be flown home for treatment under strict infection-containment procedures. Another was being treated in Africa.