These 11 Photos Capture The Strength Of Ebola Survivors

The Ebola epidemic has claimed over 2,400 lives in Liberia alone, a harrowing number that accounts for more than half of the outbreak's total death toll according to the CDC. The New England Journal of Medicine estimates the current outbreak has a 70 percent mortality rate -- but what of the 30 percent who survive?

Getty Images photographer John Moore visited treatment centers in Liberia to document Ebola survivors and their stories, giving names and faces to the horrifying epidemic. The series is a powerful testament to both the strength of the survivors, and the fact that their troubles don't necessarily end once they've recovered.

the survivors john moore
Mohammed Bah, a survivor, stands in a Doctors Without Borders treatment center.

"I've been rejected by everyone. I'm alone with my two children," survivor Mohammed Bah told Moore. Despite his clean bill of health -- Ebola survivors in Liberia are issued an actual certificate confirming their recovery -- his community has refused to accept him back.

But survivors of Ebola may actually be key to fighting future outbreaks, not vessels for further spread. They are believed to be immune to the strain of the virus that first infected them, meaning they can nurse Ebola patients without worry of infection. Their blood, filled with antibodies, is being considered for tests for potential treatments for the disease.

Several of Moore's subjects are currently working in the treatment centers, sharing the strength that made their recuperation possible and caring for patients still sick. Others, like Sontay Massaley, were photographed on their way out the door, celebrating their recovery and release.

Check out more powerful photos below.

James and Tamah Mulbah

John Moore via Getty Images

Ebola survivor James Mulbah, 2, stands with his mother, Tamah Mulbah, 28, who also recovered from Ebola in the low-risk section of the Doctors Without Borders Ebola treatment center, after a survivors' meeting on October 16, 2014 in Paynesville, Liberia.

Benetha Coleman

John Moore via Getty Images

Ebola survivor Benetha Coleman, 24, stands in the low-risk section of the Doctors Without Borders Ebola treatment center after attending a survivors' meeting on October 16, 2014 in Paynesville, Liberia. She said that her husband and two children died due to the disease.

Jeremra Cooper

John Moore via Getty Images

Ebola survivor Jeremra Cooper, 16, wipes his face from the heat while in the low-risk section of the Doctors Without Borders Ebola treatment center on October 16, 2014 in Paynesville, Liberia. The 8th grade student said he lost six family members to the Ebola epidemic before coming down sick with the disease himself and being sent to the MSF center, where he recovered after one month.

Zaizay Mulbah and Mark Jerry

John Moore via Getty Images

Ebola survivors Zaizay Mulbah, 34, and Mark Jerry, 30, right, stand together before their shifts as nurse's assistants at the Doctors Without Borders Ebola treatment center on October 12, 2014 in Paynesville, Liberia. Jerry was a money changer and Mulbah a delivery driver before they caught the disease and went to the center, where they recovered. Doctors Without Borders hired them afterward to counsel and comfort others stricken by the disease.

Eric Forkpa

John Moore via Getty Images

Ebola survivor Eric Forkpa, 23, stands in the low-risk section of the Doctors Without Borders Ebola treatment center after meeting with fellow survivors on October 16, 2014 in Paynesville, Liberia. The college student, who is majoring in civil engineering, said he thinks he caught Ebola while caring for his sick uncle, who died of the disease. He spent 18 days at the center recovering from the virus.

Emanuel Jolo

John Moore via Getty Images

Ebola survivor Emanuel Jolo, 19, stands in the low-risk section of the Doctors Without Borders Ebola treatment center after a survivors' meeting on October 16, 2014 in Paynesville, Liberia. The high school student lost six family members and believes he caught the disease while washing the body of his father, who died of Ebola.

Sontay Massaley

John Moore via Getty Images

Ebola survivor Sontay Massaley, 37, smiles upon her release from the Doctors Without Borders Ebola treatment center on October 12, 2014 in Paynesville, Liberia. Massaley, who spent 8 days recovering from the disease in the center, said she worked as a vendor in a market before contracting the virus.

Victoria Masah

John Moore via Getty Images

Ebola survivor Victoria Masah, 28, stands in the low-risk section of the Doctors Without Borders Ebola treatment center on October 16, 2014 in Paynesville, Liberia. She said her husband and two children died of Ebola.

Abrahim Quota

John Moore via Getty Images

Ebola survivor Abrahim Quota, 5, stands outside the JFK Ebola treatment center after recovering from the disease on October 13, 2014 in Monrovia, Liberia. He had arrived at the treatment center 10 days before with his parents, who both died there from the virus. The Ministry of Health was to deliver him home after his release to live with relatives.

Lassana Jabeteh

John Moore via Getty Images

Ebola survivor Lassana Jabeteh, 36, smiles before his shift as a nurse's assistant at the Doctors Without Borders Ebola treatment center on October 12, 2014 in Paynesville, Liberia. He said that he previously worked as a taxi driver and that he thinks he caught Ebola when he transported a sick policeman who vomited in his car on the way to the hospital. Doctors Without Borders hired Jabeteh after he recovered in their treatment center and he now counsels and comforts others stricken by the disease.

H/T Mic

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