More Than 300 Deaths Now Reported in West Africa Related to the Ebola Virus

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Approximately 337 people have succumbed to the deadly Ebola virus in West Africa, the World Health Organization reports, according to the BBC.

With about 14 deaths and 47 new outbreaks ripping through the area over the past week, the organization has listed Guinea as the worst affected area, with 264 related deaths, followed by Sierra Leone (49 deaths) and Liberia (24).

According to the BBC, the outbreak started in southern Guinea before spreading to the bordering countries, which have been grappling with the incurable disease since February.

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WHO has reported more than 500 suspected or confirmed cases of what is considered one of the deadliest viruses—spread through close contact and killing between 25 percent and 90 percent of those infected, the BBC notes.

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Internal and external bleeding, diarrhea and vomiting are all common symptoms.

According to the news site, it is the first time an outbreak has crippled multiple locations in three countries—this is in part due to the location where it surfaced in Guinea. The area’s people, who are of the Kissy ethnic group, often cross the unmarked borders without restriction to farm and trade, and thus, keeping the virus contained could prove to be difficult.  However, WHO still does not recommend travel or trade restrictions.

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Read more at the BBC.