Md. Organizations Holding Ebola Awareness And Donation Drive
BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- The Ebola death toll is nearing 1,000. It is the deadliest and largest documented outbreak of the virus.
Tracey Leong has the latest.
Health care workers are on the frontlines fighting the disease. Consequently, many of them have contracted Ebola. Here in America, organizations are looking to alleviate the problem.
Four West African nations are consumed with the worst Ebola outbreak in history. Two American aid workers infected with the virus are improving after receiving an experimental drug. Both are in isolation at Emory University Hospital in Atlanta.
"Terrible thing is that there is no treatment for the virus. So it's really just supportive care," said Dr. Roseda Marshell, Liberian Association of Maryland.
Dr. Marshell is hoping to assist workers risking their lives in West Africa. She says more than 50 percent of the health workers aiding patients have been infected. Thirty percent of them are now dead. It's a crisis that seems to be worsening.
"The chances of surviving are only five to ten percent," she said.
Since Ebola is spread through bodily fluids, it's important workers use proper protective gear when treating patients, including protective gloves and face masks.
"There's a possibility that this can become a worldwide epidemic, and so our call is for all individuals," said Ezax Smith, Liberian Association of Maryland.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued its highest alert level for this public health emergency.
"They need to treat this as a real emergency and treat it so that people can stop dying," Marshell said. "Whatever assistance you give, whether it's a single glove or two or three, will be helpful to somebody."
There will be a donation drive this Sunday for medical supplies that can keep the workers safe. They are also taking monetary donations.
They will be collecting the items at the Deep Creek Middle School at 1000 S. Marlyn Avenue in Essex.
Urgent supplies and items needed include: Examination gloves (medium and large) bleach, hand sanitizer, Tyvek suits, face mask, surgical gloves (medium and large), disposable surgical gowns, safety goggles, splash shield, shoe covers, disposable plastic aprons, red bio-hazard bag, laser thermometers, obstetric gynecology gloves (elbow length) and Castile soap towelette.
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