The Ebola virus is continuing to spread across Africa and has now killed over 300 people. The disease turned up towards the beginning of the year and has now spread to three counties within West Africa.

The Ebola virus has no cure and treatments are limited. The virus is spread by body fluids and symptoms of the virus include fever, fatigue, muscle pain and weakness, vomiting and diarrhea. The virus can be spread by simply touching an infected person and attempts to quarantine the infected have failed.

Numerous medics have been sent to the region to help treat the ill and prevent the spread of the illness, but in spite of the government’s attempts, the disease is still spreading quickly.

“We have reached our limits,” Janssens said. “We are no longer able to send teams to the new outbreak sites.”

“Despite the human resources and equipment deployed by MSF in the three affected countries, we are no longer able to send teams to the new outbreak sites.”

Ebola 'out of control' in West Africa http://t.co/meJbmgW5ss #AFP #YahooNews pic.twitter.com/9Zk6oOr3ce

— AFP Africa (@AFPAfrica) June 23, 2014

The virus is scaring many people from participating in their usual activities and many have chosen to stay in their homes as much as possible. Social gatherings and public events have been canceled to avoid spreading the disease and causing more people to become infected.

While the virus is concentrated in a fairly small area, it has the potential to spread around the world. One infected person that boards a ship or plane could bring the virus overseas to the United States or another country.

Doctors are continuously looking for new treatment options and are hoping to develop a cure for the disease within the next few years.

528 #Ebola cases & 337 deaths since the epidemic began, according to @WHO figures http://t.co/Ie0b55CBbN pic.twitter.com/DuHi1yPTP9

— MSF South Africa (@MSF_southafrica) June 23, 2014

World Health Organization officials say they’re planning a high-level meeting for the Minister of Health in the subregion July 2 and 3 to discuss the deployment of additional resources and experts to the area.

The outbreak will be considered contained after 42 days with no new Ebola cases. That’s twice the incubation period.

Image via Wikimedia Commons