West Africa, mainly Guinea, has been hit hard recently by an outbreak of the Ebola virus, one of the world’s most deadly viral illnesses for which there are no cures or vaccines available. Guinea is the epicenter of this recent outbreak that has claimed over 200 lives this year. Now Sierra Leone health officials are expressing fading optimism in controlling the virus within their borders as the death toll in that nation jumped to 12, up by six from a week ago. In addition to Guinea and Sierra Leone, Liberia has reported 12 suspected cases of Ebola and nine deaths.

The Health Ministry said that the deaths were in the Kailahun district near the border with Guinea, in the eastern part of the country. Now there are 42 confirmed cases, including new ones recorded in the Kambia district to the north. The new cases indicate spreading as people travel and transmit the virus.

Ebola is also known as hemorrhagic fever because of the primary symptoms of high fever and bleeding. Brain damage can also occur, and the virus can kill up to 90 percent of those it infects. Ebola virus is passed from one individual to another through bodily fluids such as urine, sweat, saliva, and blood. A substantial aspect of the illness that makes it so difficult to control is its incubation period–up to 21 days. People may be exposed and then move about over the subsequent three weeks, infecting others before symptoms present. What is more, patients who recover may still infect others up to seven weeks after their symptoms subsided.

As with most viral illnesses, supportive care focusing on hydration can facilitate recovery, and the most vulnerable are those at the young and old ends of the age spectrum. Chances of surviving the illness improve if it is caught early. Unfortunately, however, many in the affected regions tend to shun medical aid and ride it out or turn to traditional healers instead.