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The Ebola virus causes an acute, serious illness which is often fatal if untreated. The current outbreak in West Africa is the largest and most complex Ebola outbreak since the Ebola virus was first discovered in 1976. Ebola has crossed international borders and poses a risk to other countries in Africa. Infection has even reached as far as the United States and Europe.

The most severely affected countries, Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia, have very weak health systems, lacking human and infrastructural resources. The health systems in these countries and other countries in Africa are not strong enough to react and contain the current Ebola epidemic.

The key to epidemic control is rapid diagnosis, isolation, and treatment of infected individuals. Testing suspected Ebola patients is critical. Without laboratory testing, early diagnosis is difficult, because Ebola causes symptoms seen in many other infections, including malaria, typhoid, and influenza. Such testing has been one of the key weaknesses in affected countries. Call to Action ASLM, IDC, APHL and other partners are supporting laboratory strengthening in Sierra Leone, Guinea, Liberia and other African countries. They are helping to assess and strengthen laboratory capacity and training, improve bio-safety and systems for effective transport of reagents and specimens. They are working to strengthen public health laboratory networks to facilitate early detection and rapid effective control. We need your help to fund these activities.

PLEASE HELP BY DONATING TODAY. ANY CONTRIBUTION WILL HELP MAKE A DIFFERENCE.