The Ebola epidemic shows no signs of slowing down, as it continues to spread in Africa. The deadly disease that is concentrated in West Africa has made its way to other parts of Africa and has claimed the life of one American.
Patrick Sawyer, of Minnesota, before his passing from Ebola in Lagos
Patrick Sawyer, of Minnesota, was working in Liberia as an official in the Liberian Ministry of Finance when he contracted the highly contagious disease. He was heading home to celebrate his daughter’s birthday when he collapsed after getting off the plane in Lagos. Sawyer died in the hospital only five days later.
Last week, the World Health Organization confirmed that there were 800 cases on the continent, with Sierra Leone having the highest outbreak of 525 cases, and Guinea suffering from the most deaths. Sawyer is the first American to die from the disease. He is also the first person to die from it outside the regions of Sierra Leone, Guinea, and epidemic’s home base Liberia.
Sierra Leone’s chief doctor, Sheik Umar Khan also died from the virus. Khan had treated over 100 patients infected by the disease. Officials report that the disease is so contagious that it generally kills 90 percented of those infected.
Although the Ebola epidemic hasn’t physically reached the United States, it is important to remain alert on the recent outbreaks. Other Americans, including two aid workers in Monrovia, have contracted the disease. Confirmed cases are generally quarantined and hospitalized, but you can never be too safe since there is no vaccination for the outbreak.
[Images: Yahoo News, NBC News]