The Ebola crisis in West Africa is rapidly getting worse—the death toll passed 2,000 today, and there's an increasing risk that the virus will spread to Western countries soon via air travel. The World Health Organization is now recommending that experimental treatments—including transfusions of survivors' blood—be used on Ebola patients immediately.

The Associated Press reports that even though Ebola clinics in Liberia and other affected countries "are understaffed and often lack basic supplies," blood transfusions are a possibility. It's thought that the antibodies in survivors' blood will help Ebola sufferers better fight the virus.

In addition to promoting blood transfusions, WHO assistant director-general Dr. Marie-Paule Kieny said that there are "two promising Ebola vaccines" in testing that could be available in November.

WHO director-general Dr. Margaret Chan said yesterday that it will take at least six to nine months to control the Ebola crisis and that 10,000 people will likely die in that window.

[Photo via AP]