Just in case you forgot, the Ebola epidemic is still raging in West Africa. Yahoo/Reuters

Health workers taking a body away in Sierra Leone. Yahoo/Reuters.

Over 5000 people have died in the Ebola epidemic and over 14,000 cases have been reported. Yahoo/Reuters. The rate of infection is still surging in Sierra Leone, though cases have leveled up somewhat in Liberia and Guiana. The official numbers are thought to be unreported. The capital of Sierra Leone, Freetown, is a major hotzone for the virus. Mali is now reporting a new outbreak with 3 new people dead and 90 people in quarantine. Liberia has had fewer cases lately, but most of the new cases are in Montserrado district, which is where the capital city, Monrovia, is located. Only 19 of a planned 53 clinics are in operation in the three worst effected countries. More burial teams are needed as well. 

My Comment:

Once again, Ebola has fallen out of the U.S. news recently, but that does not mean that the disease is under control. While the news out of Liberia and Guiana is encouraging, it is important to note that back in spring people thought this outbreak was all but defeated. It came roaring back with a vengeance this summer and is still out of control this fall. And if Mali can't control the outbreak it has and keep any more infected people from crossing the border then we will have a new nation for Ebola to flare up in as it recedes in Liberia and Guiana, if indeed those countries see fewer cases long term. 

I also heard some rumors that one of the victims in Mali was given a traditional burial that involves washing of the body. This tells me two things:

1. Mali has the same cultural practices that helped the disease spread so effectively in the other West African countries. 

2. Many more people were exposed and could very well die from the disease. 

I've also heard that doctors in the effected countries will start treating patients with unproven and possibly unsafe treatments to help contain the spread of the virus. Here's an article from AFP with more information.  The fact that these doctors are throwing out the usual medical tests and safety regulations shows how dire the situation really is. 

Still, it is important to remember that we have had some successes in the fight against Ebola. Senegal and Nigeria are currently Ebola free. Spain and the United States should be soon as well. The virus can be defeated and its starting to look like we might just be able to stop it. A lot of people are going to die before we do, and it is always possible that it may still find a way to spread outside of Africa again. Still, at least there is some hope now.