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Ebola cases expected to soar by December
ebola
Ebola is "running faster than us and it is winning the race," warns the head of the UN mission to tackle the epidemic.

Death rates now thought to be as high as 70 per cent

The number of ebola cases is expected to soar by the end of the year, with up to 10,000 new cases reported every week. This is according to a prediction by Bruce Aylward, assistant director-general at the World Health Organisation (WHO).

According to the latest figures, there have now been more than 8,900 ebola cases and nearly 4,500 deaths. Fatality rates are now believed to be 70 per cent, rather than 50 per cent as previously estimated.

Anthony Banbury, who is head of the United Nations mission to stop the deadly epidemic that is causing devastation in West Africa, said ebola is "running faster than us and it is winning the race".

Speaking from Ghana via video link to the UN Security Council, Mr Banbury said: "We either stop ebola now or we face an entirely unprecedented situation for which we do not have a plan".

According to WHO recommendations, ebola must be brought under control within 60 days, starting from October 1. This means ensuring 70 per cent of infected people are in hospital and 70 per cent of burials are carried out without further spread of the virus.

"We must defeat ebola and we must do it fast," Mr Banbury concluded.

 

 

Image © CDC/Cynthia Goldsmith, Wikimedia Commons


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Cold-water dip to raise funds for Vetlife

News Story 1
 The veterinary mental health charity Vetlife is inviting the veterinary community to join it for a sponsored cold-water dip.

The event will take place at Walpole Bay, Margate, on 17 May during Mental Health Awareness Week. Participants of all abilities can join in the challenge and are advised to bring a towel, a hot drink, a snack, and warm clothes to get changed into afterwards.

Those taking part are being asked to try to raise £100 each to support the work of the charity.

Details about how to take part can be found here

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Bluetongue low vector period ends

In an update to its bluetongue guidance, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has announced that the seasonal low vector period for the disease has ended.

With winter over, Defra is planning for a possible increase in cases as midges become more active. It has warned that farms along the east coast of England from Norfolk to Kent, and along the south coast from Kent to Devon, are at highest risk from infected midges blown over from northern Europe.

Since the virus was detected in England in November 2023, there have been 126 confirmed cases. The most recent case to be confirmed was on 1 March 2024.

Farmers are asked to continue to frequently monitor their livestock and ensure their animals and land are registered with the Animal and Plant Health Agency.