The Ebola virus has recently come into headlines as a major outbreak has affected countless lives in Africa. Formerly known as the Zaire virus, the affliction has claimed almost 675 lives so far this year in all of Guinea, Liveria, and Sierra Leone. Just recently, between July 24 and 27, 122 new cases of Ebola virus has been discovered, which leaves international health organizations in a state of shock.

The virus has no definitive cure, and its symptoms include diarrhea, vomiting, and internal as well as external bleeding.

This viral outbreak has been the largest in history, taking more than 670 lives since February. West African airlines have even avoided flight routes through Sierra Leone and Liberia for fear that the Ebola virus might be carried to various places by their passengers. Also, several schools and colleges have shut down in the region in order to prevent the disease from spreading.

Beyond that, certain communities have been placed into strict quarantine quarters in an attempt to fight back against the lethal Ebola virus. Out of the new 122 cases, 57 have resulted in deaths in Liberia, Sierra Leone, and one from Nigeria.

Early reports concerning the virus said that a doctor who was leading the fight against the virus in Sierra Leone has lost his life during his efforts help patients. Sheikh Umar Khan who had treated more than 100 patients (all ill with the virus), has died himself from the disease. His contribution to the fight against Ebola is remembered as he is still being mourned by the medical community.

Despite all the help being received by various organizations and countries, the Ebola virus is not easy to contain, as it's very contagious.

On July 29, 2014, the IHR for Nigeria reported and confirmed on case of illness from a Nigerian patient who traveled by air and landed in Nigeria on July 20 via Togo and Ghana. The samples collected from the recent cases have yet to be sent to the WHO center in Senegal because the courier company refused to post the sample. Although the fatality rate could reach as high as 90 percent, it currently stands at 60 percent.