Ebola: A dynamic disease that needs a dynamic response

(Vatican Radio) The death toll from the Ebola epidemic has risen to 4,950 out of 13,241 cases in the three worst-hit countries of West Africa. That’s according to the World Health Organization (WHO) who is also calling for widespread rigorous control measures to halt the virus.

It says that shoring up defences in states neighbouring Liberia, Sierra-Leone and Guinea remains critical.

Dr Timothy Flanigan is Professor of Infectious Diseases at Brown University in the US and has recently been in Liberia.

Listen to Lydia O’Kane’s interview with Dr Timothy Flanigan

He also spoke this week at a press conference organized by Caritas Internationalis to brief journalists on their response to the outbreak in West Africa.

Dr Flanagan told Vatican Radio that Ebola is a dynamic disease that needs a dynamic response. “The response with Ebola has to be very nibble, it has to be able to adapt quickly and that is tough to do.”

Recalling his experience in Liberia, he said, “ Working with other Liberians that really pulled together and said we’re going to not run and hide, but we’re going to go out to the communities and we’re going to not only educate but go door to door, make sure that people understand if you recover from this you’re totally recovered, there’s no risk of transmission.”