WHO calls Ebola modern world's worst health crisis

The World Health Organization (WHO) on Monday said the Ebola outbreak in West Africa is “the most severe, acute health emergency seen in modern times” and added that economic disruptions could be curbed if people are adequately informed to avoid irrational moves to dodge the infection.

WHO Director-General Margaret Chan, citing World Bank figures, on Monday said that 90 per cent of economic costs of any outbreak “come from irrational and disorganized efforts of the public to avoid infection.”

In her statement to a regional health conference in Manila, which was read by a WHO official, Dr. Chan said educating the public about any disease outbreak was a “good defense strategy.” She also praised the Philippines for holding an anti-Ebola summit last week.

The Ebola epidemic has killed more than 4,000 people.