Frustrated Ebola Patients Turn to the Black Market for Cure

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The ongoing Ebola epidemic continues to threaten West African nations - with Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone identified as the worst-hit countries in the region. According to the latest report by the World Health Organisation (WHO), the deadly virus has claimed the lives of more than 2,500 people.

The lack of medical equipments and the absence of a commercially available cure are the reasons why the death rate from the disease continues to climb. What's more, WHO reported that frustrated patients and relatives are turning to the black market to seek a cure for the disease - which is made out of the blood serum of Ebola survivors.

A serum that is synthesised from the blood of Ebola survivors is claimed to contain antibodies that are powerful enough to fight the hemorrhagic virus. Although the effectiveness of this experimental treatment has not been clinically proven, the serum is seen by many as the most promising cure for Ebola.

"Our studies have shown that infected patients who receive blood transfusions sourced from Ebola survivors are slightly more likely to recover. However, further research needs to be done in order to be able to definitely say whether the serum is an effective anti-Ebola agent," said WHO's Chairman Margaret Chan, as reported by CNN on Thursday, September 18, 2014.

A trial found that a serum derived from Ebola survivors can cure an infected individual. A volunteer from the United States, Rick Sacra, was cured after receiving the serum derived from the blood of Kent Brantly, an Ebola survivor.

Sacra recovered mere days after receiving the serum.

"In the interest of public health and safety, we need to cooperate with affected countries in order to stop the black market sales of serums derived from Ebola survivors. Serums that hasn't met any health and safety standards should not be administered to patients," said Chan.

RINDU P. HESTYA | CNN