THERE’S no doubt the world is in the grip of the deadliest Ebola outbreak it’s ever seen.
Around 4500 people have already died with 9000 cases officially recorded across seven countries. The World Health Organisation is warning the virus set for exponential growth with up to 10,000 people infected every week, unless it can be brought under control.
But while countless communities have been devasted by the epidemic, which just three in every 10 people survive, the reality of life after Ebola can be equally devastating.
A recent survey of 1400 people conducted in Sierra Leone found that 96 per cent reported discrimination against those who had been infected, while 76 per cent said they would shun survivors who tried to return to the community.
Children are particularly vulnerable and the UN estimates 3700 have lost at least one parent to the disease, with anecdotal evidence suggesting they are ostracised and avoided when trying to fend for themselves.
Amid the outbreak in Liberia, Getty photographer John Moore has taken a series of powerful portraits of those who have managed to survive. It’s called The Survivors: Portraits of Liberians who have recovered from Ebola, and you can read their stories here.
Powerful portraits and very sad stories.
