The continued spread of the ebola virus in Sierra Leone, Liberia and Guinea has prompted the World Health Organization (WHO) to sound the alarm on the epidemic outbreak in West Africa. Among the three nations, there were a combined 44 new cases and 21 deaths just between July 6 and 8, according to the WHO.

“The epidemic trend in Liberia and Sierra Leone remains precarious with high numbers of new cases and deaths being reported,” said the WHO. A total of 888 cases and 539 deaths have resulted since the onset of the outbreak of ebola in West Africa in February.

According to the WHO, ebola disease is one of the world’s most virulent. A severe, fatal illness, it is symptomized by vomiting and diarrhea, and is known to kill up to 90% of its infected population. The virus targets impairment of kidney and liver function, and also causes internal and external bleeding, with severely infected individuals requiring constant intensive support care.

Ebola is transmitted through direct contact with the blood, bodily fluids and tissues of infected animals or people. Those at highest risk of infection during outbreaks include family members and healthcare workers, especially those in close contact with both sick and deceased patients.

There is no current treatment or cure for the ebola virus, so patients are most often only treated for the symptoms in intensive care. Infected individuals are mainly treated for the dehydration they experience through intravenous fluids or oral rehydration with electrolytic solutions.

Despite such large fatality rates and risk factors, there has been considerable resistance from certain local communities to WHO-recommended control measures such as extra precautions to prevent ebola spread during traditional burial ceremonies. Such precautions are the only sure-fire method of containing the spread of infection, and it is hence imperative to abide by them.

Certain organizations have come forward in recognizing the urgency of handling the epidemic and have set aside financial support for corresponding measures. As of Thursday, July 10, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has set up an Ebola solidarity fund at a summit in Ghana. Nigeria reportedly committed $3.5 million to affected states.

“We must do everything within our means and power to defeat this deadly disease. We must exercise vigilance and caution and avoid any panic or misinformation,” said Ghanaian President John Mahama, who is also chairman of ECOWAS.