US health officials are urging against non-essential travel to West Africa, as the Ebola outbreak worsens in Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone.
Although the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention acknowledges the chance of contracting the virus is low, it has issued guidance on infection control for cabin crew who suspect they may be carrying a passenger who has been exposed to the virus.
Early signs of the virus include sudden fever, chills, and muscle aches, followed by chest pain, sore throat, abdominal pain, and diarrhea.
Ebola is usually only contracted with direct contact with the bodily fluids of an infected person.
"Ebola is worsening in West Africa," said Thomas Frieden, director of the CDC, which is sending 50 more staff to West Africa to assist in controlling the outbreak.
"It’s the largest, most complex outbreak that we know of in history," Frieden said.
However Frieden said slow but steady progress is being made.
The CDC, along with others is beginning to turn the tide; it’s not going to be quick and it’s not going to be easy, but we know what to do."
The latest advisory comes after sharp increase in recently reported cases of Ebola.
In just four days, there were 122 cases, and since March, the World Health Organization has recorded 728 deaths in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone.
In the last two days Liberia has closed down all schools and Sierra Leone has declared a state of emergency.
"It’s a terrible infection, and it’s taken a terrible toll on the health care system," Frieden said, adding that around 70 doctors and nurses died after contracting the virus while on duty.
Two American aid workers have also contracted the virus and are both described to be in a "grave condition."
World Health Organization director General Margaret Chan will meet the leaders of the three affected countries today and will outline a $100-million action plan to combat the spread of Ebola, which will include beefing up disease detection staff at border control points.
