29 June 2014
Graphic explaining the Ebola virus, showing the location of the
Marampa mine in Sierra Leone, where British company London Mining has
evacuated non-essential workers after an outbreak of the virus. Source:
PA
EVENT
The World Health Organisation (WHO) is convening a sub-regional meeting of health ministers from 11 West African countries in Accra, Ghana on 2-3 July in a bid to contain the spread of Ebola, a viral haemorrhagic fever.The WHO warned that the Ebola outbreak is developing into a sub-regional epidemic already affecting Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone with a possible contagion into other neighbouring countries including Cote d'Ivoire, Guinea Bissau, Mali, and Senegal.
As of 23 June, 635 cases had been reported with almost 400 patients dying of the virus. In Guinea, the committee on Ebola said that since the outbreak began 277 cases had been confirmed and 174 have died, with the majority of the victims located in Gueckedou, a southern town close to the border with Sierra Leone and Liberia. In Sierra Leone, the Health Ministry has raised concerns over patients who are self-discharging from hospitals in Kenema district, a key diamond mining area, and seeking refuge with family members. London Mining has already ordered the evacuation of non-essential personnel.
Affected people are increasingly likely to stay away from hospital to seek traditional treatments as well as refuge from the stigma associated with the disease, undermining efforts to contain the virus.
The increasing death toll raises the risk of further protests by the community against the government health departments, hospitals, and international agencies working in the health sector mainly in southern Guinea and eastern Sierra Leone. In April, a mob attacked the medical store of non-governmental humanitarian aid organisation Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) in Macenta, southern Guinea, disrupting operations and vandalising the store.
