Ebola crisis: Liberia and Sierra Leone blockades go up

Liberian soldiers have set up a blockade stopping people from western regions affected by the Ebola outbreak from entering the capital, Monrovia. It follows the president’s declaration of a state of emergency to tackle the outbreak that has killed more than 930 people in West Africa this year. In Sierra Leone the security forces have now impo...
sed a complete blockade of eastern areas hit by Ebola.
Health experts in Switzerland are discussing a response to the outbreak.
It is the world’s deadliest outbreak and the two-day World Health Organization (WHO) meeting will decide whether to declare a global health emergency.
Ebola, a viral haemorrhagic fever, is one of the deadliest diseases known to humans, with a fatality rate in this outbreak of between 50% and 60%. It is spread through contact with the bodily fluids of Ebola patients showing symptoms.
Announcing a state of emergency for 90 days, President Sirleaf said the government and people of Liberia required “extraordinary measures for the very survival of our state and for the protection of the lives of our people”.
Speaking from a crossroads 37km (23 miles) west of Monrovia, the BBC’s Jonathan Paye-Layleh said soldiers had been deployed to stop the movement of people – many of whom are traders.
In neighbouring Sierra Leone, the head of the police in the east of the country said police and soldiers had imposed a “complete blockade” of the Kenema and Kailahun districts.
“No vehicles or persons will be allowed in or out of the districts” except those with essential food and medicines, he said.
If a public health emergency is declared by the WHO, it could involve detailed plans to identify, isolate and treat cases, as well as impose travel restrictions on affected areas.
There is no cure or vaccine for Ebola – but patients have a better chance of survival if they receive early treatment.
Ebola has initial flu-like symptoms that can lead to external haemorrhaging from areas like eyes and gums, and internal bleeding which can lead to organ failure.
(BBC)