image source, Thinstock
The WHO says that the blood of survivors is a possible therapy.
The blood of patients who recover from Ebola can be used to treat other patients, the World Health Organization has announced.
West Africa is facing the largest outbreak in the history of the infection in which more than 1,900 people have died.
A global group of experts is meeting to discuss experimental therapies that could contain the virus.
According to Dr. Marie Paule Kieny, deputy director general of the organization, «we agree that whole blood therapies can be used to combat the virus and all efforts must be invested in helping affected countries to use them.»
He added that «there is a real opportunity now to be able to use a blood-derived product and it can be very effective in terms of treating patients.»
«positive news»
The expert pointed out that the announcement is positive news after so many people have been infected with the virus.
image source, access point
The WHO brought together experts to discuss possible therapies.
«There are also a lot of people now who have survived and are doing well. They can provide the blood to treat other people who are sick.»
Experts, however, caution that research into these interventions should not divert attention from the implementation of effective clinical care, rigorous infection prevention and control measures, monitoring and tracing of patient contacts, and effective communication.
All of these measures, they say, are crucial to ending Ebola infection outbreaks.