Ebola doctor in Sierra Leone dies
Ebola doctor in Sierra Leone dies
A doctor who was on the front lines fighting the Ebola outbreak in Sierra Leone has died from complications of the disease, Doctors Without Borders said Tuesday.
Dr. Sheik Humarr Khan
fell ill early last week while overseeing Ebola treatment at Kenema
Government Hospital, about 185 miles east of Sierra Leone's capital
city, Freetown.
He was treated by the
French aid group Medecins Sans Frontieres -- also known as Doctors
Without Borders -- in Kailahun, Sierra Leone, spokesman Tim Shenk said.
Photos: Ebola outbreak in West Africa
Ebola typically kills 90%
of those infected, but the death rate in this outbreak has dropped to
roughly 60% because of early treatment. The outbreak is happening
primarily in three West African countries: Guinea, where it began,
Liberia and Sierra Leone.
As of July 23, the World
Health Organization had confirmed more than 800 Ebola cases in the
region, but it suspects there have been many unreported infections and
there may be as many as 1,200 cases.
Sierra Leone has been hardest hit, with approximately 525 cases.
"Dr. Khan was an
extremely determined and courageous doctor who cared deeply for his
patients," Doctors Without Borders said in a statement.
"His work and dedication
have been greatly appreciated by the medical community in Sierra Leone
for many years. He will be remembered and missed by many, especially by
the doctors and nurses that worked with him. MSF's sincere thoughts and
condolences are with Dr. Khan's family, friends and colleagues."
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