AFRICA/SIERRA LEONE - The worst outbreak of Ebola puts health workers at risk

Thursday, 10 July 2014

Kenema (Agenzia Fides) - Sierra Leone, along with neighboring Guinea and Liberia, are going through the worst Ebola outbreak ever recorded before, 481 deaths have been reported since July 2 (see Fides 05/06/2014). Seven health care workers have been infected with the virus in the hospital in Kenema. Due to continuous contact with people infected, the hospital staff is more prone to infection. They work for many hours and some are volunteers. Recently, those who work in the infectious disease ward have gone on strike because of the low wages they receive. Too low for the continuing risks they face, and they have reached an agreement with the Government. Health care workers are faced with even the hostility of those who think that the disease is only a macabre conspiracy to allow the removal of some of organs from patients. Some have received threats, others have been brutally assaulted. (AP) (Agenzia Fides 10/07/2014)


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