Researchers at the Centers for Disease Control and prevention developed the EbolaResponse modeling tool to estimate the increase in Ebola cases in Liberia and Sierra Leone.
The tool found that without any interventions, there could be anywhere from 550,000 to 1.4 million cases by next year. The emphasis here is that these numbers reflect the spread of the virus without any relief efforts factored in and do not reflect current conditions. Furthermore, the top range of the estimate, 1.4 million cases, was calculated by an underreported factor of 2.5.
Researchers remain optimistic that the Ebola epidemic can be contained, especially because 70 percent of infected patients are in Ebola treatment units or are cared for in a setting that reduces the risk of spreading the disease.
Once relief efforts reach a tipping point, researchers believe there will be a rapid decline in Ebola cases.
More articles on Ebola:
In light of the Ebola outbreak: 3 considerations for hospitals dealing with infectious disease
15 things to know about the U.S. Ebola response
US CIO to step down to join Ebola relief efforts
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