Ebola Virus: The Worst Outbreak In History

Ebola hemorrhagic fever is believed to have killed 729 people in Guinea, Liberia, Sierra Leone and Nigeria from March through July 27th, accroding to the World Health Organization. This marks the worst Ebola outbreak in history.

With no cure or vaccine, fear is spreading as fast as the virus. Bart Janssens, director of operations for Doctors Without Borders told CNN, “This epidemic is without precedent. It’s absolutely not under control, and the situation keeps worsening.”

Asummit in Washington will still take place, despite the fact that about 50 African leaders are expected to attend, a White House spokesman said on Wednesday.

According to Reuters, the White House continues to monitor the deadly outbreak of the highly contagious virus and President Obama was briefed about developments by his homeland security adviser, Lisa Monaco, on Tuesday, White House spokesman Eric Schultz told reporters.

“The CDC (U.S. Centers for Disease Control) has said this is not a risk to the United States at this time,” Schultz told reporters traveling with the president back to Washington from Kansas City, Missouri.

Ebola first appeared in 1976 in 2 simultaneous outbreaks, in Nzara, Sudan, and in Yambuku, Democratic Republic of Congo.

Photo: AFP Photo / Seyllou