According to Vanguard UNICEF estimated that at least 3,700 children in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone have lost one or both parents to Ebola since the start of the outbreak in West Africa, according to preliminary UNICEF estimates, and many are being rejected by their surviving relatives for fear of infection.
“Thousands of children are living through the deaths of their mother, father or family members from Ebola,” said Manuel Fontaine, UNICEF Regional Director for West & Central Africa, after a two-week visit to Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone. “These children urgently need special attention and support; yet many of them feel unwanted and even abandoned. Orphans are usually taken in by a member of the extended family, but in some communities, the fear surrounding Ebola is becoming stronger than family ties.”
“There is no specific treatment for Ebola, which is spread by contact with the bodily fluids of infected people or animals. Therefore prevention is one of the best ways to contain the virus. Access to timely and accurate life-saving information is hence absolutely crucial. This is where UNICEF is focusing its efforts moving forward,” said UNICEF Representative in Guinea, Dr. Mohamed Ag Ayoy.
As of 27 October 2014, the total reported number of confirmed, probable, and suspected cases in the West African epidemic of Ebola virus disease is 13,703 with 4920 deaths.
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