(CNN) -- A World Health Organization panel is convening Monday to discuss the ethics of using experimental medicine to fight the Ebola outbreak in West Africa.
Since its onset this year, the virus is believed to have infected 1,779 people and killed 961, according to the WHO's latest figures.
There are no proven vaccines or drugs to treat Ebola, but an experimental serum was given to two American missionaries infected with the disease.
Both patients had to give consent to receive the drug, knowing it had never been tested in humans before. Their conditions are said to be improving.
Their treatment has raised questions about the use of unproven and unlicensed drugs to treat Ebola and why the two workers received the serum, ZMapp, when so many others in West Africa also have the virus.
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Why Ebola drug isn't available in Africa Ebola treatment raises ethical questions Ethicist: Give Africans the Ebola serum How the experimental Ebola serum worksMedical ethicists, scientific experts and lay people from the countries affected by the Ebola outbreak will discuss the use of unlicensed medicines to combat the virus during the WHO teleconference Monday.
The panel will look at issues including whether it is ethical to use 'unregistered interventions with unknown adverse effects,' and, if so, who should receive them.
The WHO last week declared the Ebola outbreak a 'public health emergency of international concern.' Since an Ebola epidemic was declared in Guinea in March, the disease has spread to Sierra Leone, Liberia and Nigeria.
On Sunday, Ivory Coast banned flights to and from those countries affected by Ebola. Emirates this month become the first major international airline to suspend flights from Guinea, followed by pan-African airline ASKY and smaller regional carrier Arik Air. British Airways stopped its flights to Sierra Leone and Liberia last Tuesday, because of the 'deteriorating public health situation.'
The Ebola virus causes hemorrhagic fever that affects multiple organ systems in the body. It can kill up to 90% of those infected.
Early symptoms include weakness, muscle pain, headaches and a sore throat. They later progress to vomiting, diarrhea, impaired kidney and liver function -- and sometimes internal and external bleeding.
Ebola spreads through contact with organs and bodily fluids such as blood, saliva, urine and other secretions of infected people. The most common treatment requires supporting organ functions and maintaining bodily fluids such as blood and water long enough for the body to fight off the infection.
Treating Ebola in Sierra Leone: 'We are two steps behind'Ebola virus: 9 things to know about the killer diseaseWHO: Ebola outbreak in West Africa an international health emergencyInitial Ebola response called a 'failure'Opinion: Make more Ebola drug and give it to Africans Entities 0 Name: West Africa Count: 3 1 Name: Sierra Leone Count: 3 2 Name: Liberia Count: 2 3 Name: Guinea Count: 2 4 Name: World Health Organization Count: 1 5 Name: Africa Ebola Count: 1 6 Name: ASKY Count: 1 7 Name: British Airways Count: 1 8 Name: Ivory Coast Count: 1 9 Name: Nigeria Count: 1 10 Name: Arik Air Count: 1 Related 0 Url: http://ift.tt/1nyybqO Title: Ebola is a public health emergency, WHO says Description: The World Health Organization on Friday declared the Ebola outbreak that is spreading across West Africa to be a "public health emergency of international concern." The group also said Ebola took an additional 29 lives between Tuesday and Wednesday alone.