| From: | <eCruzi> |
|---|
A black market has emerged in West Africa trading the blood of Ebola survivors, the World Health Organization reported.
The convalescent serum collected from survivors' blood has been used by trained doctors to treat Ebola patients in the outbreak so far, including 51-year-old American aid worker Rick Sacra, who received blood from survivor Kent Brantly. The blood's antibodies are particularly helpful in fighting the virus, and the black market spawned from a mixture of desperation in the region and lack of reliable resources.
WHO Director-General Margaret Chan said at a press conference that the agency is sounding the alarm to "stamp out any black market activity." "This is something we need to work very closely with the affected countries to stem," Chan said. "The use of convalescent serum has to be done properly."
The wrong blood type could cause anaphylactic shock and death in a patient, not to mention pass on any blood-borne diseases like HIV if the original blood is infected. A black market could be disastrous for the distribution of supplies to the region. If those trading in the market grab airdropped supplies, the system could end up preventing the supplies from reaching patients in need.
Laurie Garret, senior fellow for global health at the Council of Foreign Relations, warned the black market is already steps ahead of any actions from President Obama and other global initiatives. "I'm very distressed," she told The Hill. "I don't think we're even close to playing catch up, much less mount a response that will get us ahead of the virus."
As hospitals in nations hardest hit by Ebola struggle to keep up, desperate patients are turning to the black market to buy blood from survivors of the virus, the World Health Organization warned.
The deadliest Ebola outbreak in history has killed at least 2,400 people in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone — the countries most affected by the virus.
Thousands more are infected and new cases have emerged in Nigeria and Senegal.
Blood from survivors, referred to as convalescent serum, is said to have antibodies that can fight the deadly virus. Though unproven, it has provided some promise in fighting a disease with no approved drug to treat it.
"Studies suggest blood transfusions from survivors might prevent or treat Ebola virus infection in others, but the results of the studies are still difficult to interpret," the WHO said.
"It is not known whether antibodies in the plasma of survivors are sufficient to treat or prevent the disease. More research is needed."
Convalescent serum has been used to treat patients, including American aid worker Rick Sacra, who is hospitalized in Omaha, Nebraska. He got blood from Kent Brantly, a fellow American who survived Ebola. Both got infected when they were helping patients in Liberia.
Illicit trade
But unlike their situation, patients in affected nations are getting blood through improper channels. The illicit trade can lead to the spread of other infections, including HIV and other blood-related ailments.
"We need to work very closely with the affected countries to stem out black market trading of convalescent serum for two reasons," Margaret Chan, WHO's director-general, said this week.
"Because it is in the interest of individuals not to just get convalescent serum without … going through the proper standard and the proper testing because it is important that there may be other infectious vectors that we need to look at."
'Sitting, waiting to die'
Doctor 'improving' after Ebola diagnosis Why isn't Ebola containment working? Gates Foundation to donate $50 million
Heath experts have declared the disease a global emergency and criticized the international community for a lax response.
President Barack Obama on Tuesday announced the United States will send troops, material to build field hospitals, additional health care workers and community care kits to affected nations. The United States will also create a facility to help train thousands of health care workers to identify and care for Ebola patients.
"Men and women and children are just sitting, waiting to die right now," Obama said.
Hospitals in affected nations are overwhelmed, and the WHO has described it as a "dire emergency with … unprecedented dimensions" of human suffering.
"If the outbreak is not stopped now, we could be looking at hundreds of thousands of people infected with profound political and economic and security implications for all of us," Obama said.
Could the virus mutate?
There is also a concern that the virus could mutate into an even more dangerous form.
Ebola currently transmits only though contact with bodily fluids; a mutation that allows the virus to spread through the air would pose a catastrophic threat to people worldwide, experts say.
{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{{ VERDANT STORIES SECTION
TITLE>>>>>>FORBIDDEN
CONTINUED FROM YESTERDAY
.... Tanko laughed. He understood the defeat of his friend.Its alright Yaron Maitabba, come and share with us,"Tanko said. Garba was relieved. He had seen the master whipping a boy only last night and he had dreaded to experience that. The boys were reunited. Later that night, Yakubu came to the hostel to look for Tanko. lie met than in the dormitory. "I have brought you some biscuits "I he master gave them to me and I knew I had to .,,third. It with my friends," Yakubu said he gave the biscuits to Tanko. "Share it with all of them" "Thank you," Tanko said. Yakubu looked at Garba. "Yaron Sarki. how are you today?" he asked. "I am fine." Garba replied. "Hope you are enjoying this place?" Yakubu asked. "I wish I were home instead." Garba said. It was true. He missed his mother and his family. It was boring here. He did not have to fear to eat any thing he wanted in Dogongari. Yakubu laughed. "Don't worry. you will get used to this place soon," he said. "Let me hurry along before the master thinks I have run away." he took his leave. Yakubu was much older than all of them. He was the son of Dangiwa, the wood carver of Dongongan. Yakubu was a nice boy and all the boys from .... TO BE CONTINUED TOMORROW...JOIN US TOMORROW FOR MORE ON THIS FUNNY AND EXCITING STORY }}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}
No comments:
Post a Comment