The Ebola crisis underscores the seriousness of food scarcity in West Africa. Poor nutrition has a multiplier effect on the generalwelfare of the population.
A strong relationship exists between progression of the Ebola disease and nutrition. Experts are unanimous that nutritional status is a critical factor in survival chances of Ebola patients or any other disease.
“Clearly, for any acutely ill patient, nutritional status is extremely important,” said Bruce Ribner, medical director of the infectious diseases unit at Emory University Hospital. “If you have somebody who is well nourished and you have somebody who is poorly nourished, and they suffer the same illness, infectious or otherwise, the person who has better nutrition has a better survival outlook.”
Although “Ebola kills even people in good health,” said a spokeswoman for the United Nations’ World Food Program in West Africa, ”poor nutrition can quicken the progression of the Ebola virus. Those with access to better nutrition are more able to fight disease. ”
