China helps Africa fight against Ebola epidemic(2)

CHINESE EXPERTS ON SITE

A group of Chinese disease control experts arrived at Conakry, capital of Guinea on Monday to assist the prevention and control of the Ebola virus. This is one of the three expert teams dispatched by the Chinese government to the three African nations hardest-hit by the epidemic.

Each medical team is composed of one epidemiologist and two specialists in disinfection and protection from the China CDC and other institutions.

"This assistance is of great significance and is an embodiment of the traditional friendship between China and Guinea," said Sun Hui, who is leading the Chinese medical team in the country.

"I hope that with China's help, Guinea can defeat the Ebola epidemic at an early date," he added.

According to Sun, the Chinese experts will assist Chinese embassies in the three countries to distribute medical supplies, help train local medical workers to properly use those supplies and teach them about preventive measures. They will also help Chinese nationals in those countries strengthen disease prevention and control.

Three Chinese medical teams are already working in the three African nations. The new experts will also train their staff and work with them to help local doctors, said Sun.

It is the first time that China has offered assistance to foreign countries in response to a public health emergency.

HIGH FATALITY, EXPERIMENTAL TREATMENT

The Ebola virus, with a fatality rate of up to 90 percent, spreads through mucous and other body fluid or secretions such as stool, urine, saliva and semen of infected people.

While there is no known cure for the disease, two U.S. aid workers diagnosed with Ebola while treating patients in Liberia are reportedly both feeling stronger after receiving a U.S.-made experimental drug known as ZMapp.

The manufacturer Mapp Biopharmaceutical revealed on Monday that the ZMapp has been sent to a West African country that requested it, but saying that the supply of the drug is now "exhausted".

The San Diego-based company said in a statement posted on its website that it received the request this weekend for the drug but did not make public the country's name.

The company said that it has complied with every request for ZMapp that had the necessary legal and regulatory authorization.

"It is the requesters' decision whether they wish to make public their request, acquisition, or use of the experimental drug," said the statement.

A Spanish priest, who was flown home from Liberia recently after being confirmed as suffering from Ebola, is also reportedly receiving the experimental treatment.

However, that has raised questions about whether the untested and unapproved drug should be used in the outbreak.