The World Health Organization reported on Saturday that Ebola cases have now gone up to the 10,000 mark and the mortality rate was getting closer to 50 percent. 

Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone are the worst hit countries, accounting for 4,912 deaths. Only 27 cases and 10 deaths were reported in other affected countries: Mali, Nigeria, Senegal, Spain and the United States.

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Last Thursday, Nigeria and Senegal were officially declared Ebola-free. WHO acknowledged both West African countries for implementing aggressive efforts in isolation, observation and public education.

450 health-care workers are known to have been infected with Ebola. The most recent, highly publicized case is New York City's first patient, Craig Spencer, who is now being treated in isolation at Bellevue Hospital Center. Spencer flew back home a week ago from Guinea, where he volunteered for Doctors Without Borders.

In an earlier case, Texan nurse Nina Pham was just recently given the green light to go home.

WHO recently organized a high-level emergency meeting with government representatives from countries affected by Ebola. Though held at short notice, the gathering saw 90 participants from national and academic research institutions, ministries of health and foreign affairs, national security councils, drug regulatory offices, the MSF (Doctors Without Borders) charity, funding agencies and foundations, development banks and the GAVI alliance for childhood immunization.

The conclusions reached were as follows:

•  Vaccines will have "significant impact" on the further evolution of the epidemic in any scenario, best-case to worst.
•  Funding should not be an issue. Funds will be found 'no matter what'.
•  With the World Bank's help, a "club" of donors will be established to assist "should lawsuits arise following possible adverse reactions" to the vaccine.
•  Enough vaccine doses will be made available.

Tagsdoctors without borders, Guinea