Ebola patients buying survivors' blood from black market, WHO warns

The WHO says as hospitals in nations hit hardest by Ebola struggle to keep going, desperate patients are turning to the black market to buy blood from survivors of the virus. 

The deadliest Ebola outbreak in history has killed at least 2,400 people in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone. 

Thousands more are infected and new cases have emerged in Nigeria and Senegal. 

Blood from survivors, referred to as convalescent serum, is said to have antibodies that can fight the deadly virus. 

Though unproven, it has provided some promise in fighting the disease with no approved drug to treat it.

 "Studies suggest blood transfusions from survivors might prevent or treat Ebola virus infection in others, but the results of the studies are still difficult to interpret," the WHO said.

"It is not known whether antibodies in the plasma of survivors are sufficient to treat or prevent the disease.

Convalescent serum has been used to treat patients, including American aid worker Rick Sacra, who is hospitalized in Omaha, Nebraska.

 He got blood from Kent Brantly, a fellow American who survived Ebola. 

Both got infected when they were helping patients in Liberia but unlike their situation, patients in affected nations are getting blood through improper channels.

 The illicit trade can lead to the spread of other infections, including HIV and other blood-related ailments.

CNN