Thousands of Ebola survivors face severe pain, possible blindness – Experts
London – Some global health experts said
thousands of West Africans who survived the Ebola virus infection were
suffering chronic conditions such as serious joint pain and eye inflammation
that could lead to blindness.
The World Health Organisation (WHO)
experts said that the Ebola survivors who fought off the most severe bouts of
infection were the most likely to suffer ongoing medical problems.
According to the experts, their health
is becoming “an emergency within an emergency”.
Dr Anders Nordstrom, a
WHO representative in Sierra Leone said, “the world has never seen such a large
number of survivors from an Ebola outbreak.
“We have 13,000 survivors in the three countries of Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone.
“We have 13,000 survivors in the three countries of Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone.
“This is new, both from a medical and
from a societal point of view,” he briefed reporters on telephone.
Dr Daniel Bausch of
the WHO’s clinical care team on Ebola survivors said that about half of all
those who fought off the virus now reported joint pain.
“Some are suffering such severe effects that they cannot work.
“Some are suffering such severe effects that they cannot work.
“Eye problems including inflammation,
impaired vision and in severe but rare cases blindness have been reported by
about 25 per cent of survivors.
For the full story, check the Vanguard Newspaper.
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