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The number of deaths in the current Ebola outbreak has jumped to more than a hundred. dozens of people in west African countries are quarantined and officials are desperately trying to find close contacts of the sick in an attempt to curtail the spread.

Governments are recommending that people no longer shake hands or have sex with anyone who is not a regular, monogamous partner. Talking to the BBC the WHO said:
"(It's) "one of the most challenging Ebola outbreaks we have ever dealt with" and could take another four months to contain,"

Note: Five more deaths have occurred since this report was published.
Every day that this disease is claiming victims is another day it has the chance to escape from Africa. I know many say that it kills too quickly for that to happen, but this is incorrect. Ebola can take between 2 and 21 days to incubate. From the WHO website:
The incubation period, that is, the time interval from infection with the virus to the onset of symptoms, is 2 to 21 days.
From the CDC website:
Symptoms may appear anywhere from 2 to 21 days after exposure to Ebola virus though 8-10 days is most common.
Travellers to the region should be scrupulous about their hand hygiene. Cuts,scratches and grazes should be covered with waterproof plasters to prevent possible contamination. Eat only in reputable restaurants where you are sure you are not being served bushmeat...often dished up with highly flavoured sauces and listed as something entirely different in less reputable eateries. Casual sex should be avoided at all costs.

Ebola, particularly Ebola Zaire, is one of the most terrifying diseases on the planet. whilst I truly pity those who have to live with the threat of Ebola, I also pray to God it stays there and fizzles out like all the past outbreaks have but something in my gut is telling me this outbreak is different. I really hope my gut is wrong.

Take care

Liz