Dr. Tom Frieden said this is the first massive epidemic of Ebola the world has ever known but what remains a major challenge is to scale it up to the massive levels needed to stop this outbreak.

His statement was contained in a press transcript recently released by the CDC.

Frieden noted that the virus is spreading widely through society but the two key roots via which it is being transmitted within the region are the weak spots of the virus, stating, “We know how it spread, we know how to stop it.”

The CDC Director named the provision of more resources, technical experts in health care and management to help affected countries and a global coordinated unified approach as three cardinal tools needed in the campaign to eradicate the disease.

“This is not just a problem for West Africa, it's not just a problem for Africa, it's a problem for the world and the world needs to respond,” he said.

Frieden stated that as long as Ebola is spreading anywhere, everyone needs to be concern and make sure to identify people who could have it and take prompt action so it doesn't spread.

The CDC director, who visited affected West African countries recently, also observed that governments are increasingly challenged to not only control Ebola but provide basic health services, security, and keep the government running, adding, “The stability of these countries, of their economies, of their neighbors and of others is increasingly at risk.”

“The window of opportunity to stop Ebola from spreading widely throughout Africa and becoming a global threat for years to come is closing, but it is not yet closed, if the world takes the immediate steps which are direct requests from the front lines of the outbreak and the Presidents of each country we can still turn this around,” Frieden noted.
LINA WSG/PTK