Liberian Delegation Off to US

Mon, 10/06/2014 - 23:01 admin

-Team Headed by Amara Konneh to Make Case for More Aid at World Bank Annual Meeting

Liberia’s  Minister of Finance and Development Planning, Mr. Amara M. Konneh headed a small Liberian delegation to Washington, DC on Monday, 6^th October, to participate in the upcoming annual meetings of the World Bank Group and the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The Liberian delegation is tasked with the responsibility to make serious case for the receding Liberian economy and ensure that the international support is landed to fight the Ebola virus and restore the post conflict economy which enjoyed an 8 percent annual growth prior to the Ebola outbreak.
The meeting comes at a time when Liberia is experiencing the worst ever outbreak of the deadly “Ebola Virus Disease” (EVD), which has claimed many lives, posing further risk of exposure to the larger population and a severe impact on the economy.
While in the US, Minister Konneh, who is being joined by the Executive Governor of the Central Bank of Liberia (CBL), Dr. Joseph Mills Jones, is expected to hold series of multilateral and bilateral discussions aimed at rallying support for the government’s “National Ebola Response Strategy,” including the overall efforts to contain and defeat the disease and resource mobilization to address the potential economic impact of the Ebola virus on the Liberian economy.
The Liberian delegation is also expected to play a key role in a special “Ebola Roundtable” involving UN Secretary General, Mr. Ban Ki Moon, the World Bank President, Jim Yong Kim, IMF Managing Director, Christine Lagarde, and a host of development partners.

House Ebola hearing planned at Dallas airport

 

By Elise Viebeck - 10/06/14 10:36 AM EDT

The House Homeland Security Committee will hold a hearing on the Ebola epidemic Friday at the Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, the panel's chairman announced Monday. 

The event is designed to explore what Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Texas) called the "interconnected nature of our world, [where] threats to the homeland are only a flight away." "Effective coordination at all levels of government and with our international partners is vital for all aspects of our security, whether it be working to combat the threat posed by terrorists such as ISIS, addressing the porous southwest border or the prevention of Ebola reaching our shores," McCaul, the committee's chairman, said in a statement.

The hearing follows rising calls from the GOP for the Obama administration to ban travel from countries affected by Ebola.The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) argues the move would actually hamper the U.S. response to the outbreak, putting Americans further at risk.

The debate shows no sign of quieting. McCaul's choice of venue for his hearing — the airport — appears intended to bring new force to calls for a travel ban.

"At this hearing key federal and state officials will discuss the efforts that have been taken to respond to the first case of Ebola in the United States," McCaul said.

"We will also examine ways we can continue to improve our preparedness and capabilities, particularly when it comes to screening passengers entering the country."

The widely covered Ebola case in Dallas remains the only U.S. diagnosis of the virus despite hundreds of false alarms around the country.

The CDC is receiving up to 800 calls a day related to Ebola, many of which are from healthcare facilities that fear a patient may have the virus.

McCaul's will be the second congressional hearing on Ebola scheduled for the election-year recess.

The House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Oversight will hear testimony on the epidemic Oct. 16.  http://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/219851-ebola-hearing-scheduled-at-dallas-airport

Norwegian woman infected with Ebola

- Doctors Without Borders confirms that one of our organization’s Norwegian field workers in Sierra Leone has tested positive and has been diagnosed with bleeding fever ebola, confirms Anne Cecilie Kalteborn in MSF’s Norway branch to Norwegian media VG.

The Norwegian health worker is tonight being flown with an ambulance flight from the capital Sierra Leone. She will probably land in Norway Monday night or Tuesday night. [link to www.vg.no]

U.S. airline group to meet with health officials on Ebola

NEW YORK – A U.S. airlines trade group said it would meet with health and safety officials on Monday to discuss whether additional screenings for Ebola could improve on measures already in place to contain the spread of the deadly virus.
The meeting will consider whether adding screenings anywhere in the world might help, Victoria Day, a spokeswoman for the Washington-based group Airlines for America, said on Monday.
Airlines for America “members that fly to affected countries remain in steady contact with government agencies and health officials, and have procedures in place to monitor and quickly respond to potential health concerns,” Day said in a statement.
At a daily news briefing, White House spokesman Josh Earnest said, “What we’re looking to do is review these screening measures.”
American officials have said they would consider new ways to curb the worst outbreak of the disease on record after the first case of Ebola was detected in the United States last week.
The patient, Thomas Eric Duncan, flew from Liberia — the country hardest hit by the West African epidemic — before developing symptoms. He remained in critical condition in a Dallas hospital on Monday.
Along with Liberia, Ebola has wreaked havoc in Sierra Leone and Guinea. It has also spread to Nigeria and Senegal but is considered contained in those countries. In all, the virus has killed at least 3,439 people out of 7,492 confirmed, probable and suspected cases.
Officials do not want to impede transport systems used to send supplies and personnel to West Africa to fight Ebola, Earnest said.
Top health officials have warned that highly restrictive measures, including a travel ban, could hamper efforts to contain the outbreak in West Africa. The Obama administration said on Monday that it had no plans to prohibit visitors from countries ravaged by Ebola from entering the United States.
Some, including Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal, have called for a ban on all flights to the United States from countries with Ebola outbreaks.
Several health experts and lawmakers have asked the administration to consider enhancing U.S. airport and customs screenings, including checking travelers using handheld fever scanners
In the past, U.S. courts have deferred to airport officials on screenings, even when passenger rights have been at issue.
In 2010, privacy advocates sued to block the use of advanced imaging technology at airports. But a federal appeals court in Washington ruled that security officials could use the technology. The court said the need to ensure public safety outweighed individual privacy, especially because passenger images were deleted as soon as a passenger was cleared.
Concern among investors that Ebola might discourage people from traveling in part caused airline share prices worldwide to fall 4 percent in September, according to the International Air Transport Association.
 http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2014/10/07/world/science-health-world/u-s-airline-group-meet-health-officials-ebola/

Liberia health workers to stage go-slow for Ebola hazard pay

WHO says go-slow would undermine Ebola response
* Liberia reports tentative signs of progress
* MSF says has empty beds at Monrovia treatment centre (Recasts with comment from unions)
By James Giahyue
MONROVIA, Oct 6 (Reuters) - Health workers in Liberia said on Monday they would press on with plans for a go-slow protest to support their claim for hazard pay as they fight an Ebola epidemic, despite a plea from the U.N. health agency that they avoid industrial action.
Nearly 2,000 people have died from Ebola in Liberia out of at least 3,696 infected. The West African state is at the centre of an epidemic that has killed more than 3,400 people there and in neighbouring Sierra Leone and Guinea
The hemorrhagic virus has also taken a heavy toll on health workers and this has galvanized the National Health Workers Association of Liberia, said its secretary general George Williams.
"Let the government revisit health workers' wages and allowances and make sure that they have insurance that is appropriate and proper," he told Reuters, adding that the go-slow would begin on Friday unless union demands were met.
"Health workers have made up their minds. Some of these things have been on the table since April. The demands have to be met," he said. The union represents thousands of workers, though it was unclear if all would heed its call to action.
Earlier, the representative of the World Health Organisation in Liberia, Peter Graaff, said it was crucial that the workers did not undermine the effort to combat Ebola.
"My appeal to all the health workers is that you have been so brave to go and work in the ETU's (Ebola Treatment Units). This is not the moment to compromise all that you have achieved," Graaff told a news conference.
"Going slow means that those who want to work will have to work too hard and then put themselves at risk. Going slow means putting the lives for those you care for unnecessarily at risk," he said, adding that there should be a negotiated solution.
SIGNS OF PROGRESS?
In the United States, the fifth American to contract Ebola in West Africa arrived for treatment on Monday while the first patient diagnosed with the deadly virus on U.S. soil was in critical condition at a Dallas hospital.
Assistant Minister of Health for Preventive Services, Tolbert Nyensuwah, reported tentative signs that efforts by the government and the international community to respond to Ebola were starting to bear fruit.
The number of beds for Ebola patients have increased from 200 on Sept 1 to 570. There are now 14 testing laboratories as opposed to 4 at the start of last month, which allows for 500 specimens to be tested daily as opposed to 150, he said.
"We projected (a need for) 1,000 beds and we want to know why we still have empty beds. Is it that we are not taking care of the patients? Is it that the disease is gone, which we don't want to say," Nyensuwah told a news conference. He referred to Montserrado county, which includes the capital.
"If I show you the data from Lofa County, you will be astonished. It's improving," he said, speaking of a county in northern Liberia.
A hallmark of the epidemic has been treatment centres turning away ill people for lack of beds, thus increasing patient suffering and risking the spread of the virus through communities as families provide care.
The emergency coordinator for aid group Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) in Liberia, Laurence Sailly, said that its treatment centre, ELWA 3, in the capital Monrovia was not currently full.
"Up to yesterday (Sunday) we only had 120 patients so we still have beds for more patients. If people have Ebola in the community they can come to ELWA 3," Sailly told a news conference.http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/10/06/health-ebola-liberia-idUSL6N0S146C20141006?rpc=401

Eustis, Langley responding to Ebola outbreak

By Hugh Lessig, hlessig@dailypress.com

5:11 p.m. EDT, October 6, 2014

Soldiers from Fort Eustis and Fort Story are scheduled to join airmen from Langley Air Force Base as part of the military response to the Ebola outbreak in western Africa.
The Army deployment from Hampton Roads is part of a much larger Army effort announced last week. More than 1,800 soldiers from Fort Campbell, Ky., are headed to western Africa, as well as 500 soldiers from Fort Hood, Texas, according to the Pentagon.
Fort Eustis is sending soldiers from transportation-related units, according to information provided by the base. Personnel will be pulled from the headquarters of the 7th Transportation Brigade (Expeditionary), the 53rd Transportation Battalion, the 11th Transportation Battalion and the 597th Transportation Brigade.
The 7th Transportation Brigade is considered to be one of the most-deployed units in the Army. It includes the 53rd and 11th battalions, the latter stationed at Fort Story.
At present, the exact missions of individual units are still being developed, said Sgt. 1st Class Vin Stevens, a spokesman for the 18th Airborne Corps at Fort Bragg, N.C.
A medical team from Langley Air Force Base has already deployed to assist in curbing the outbreak.
Airmen from the 633rd Medical Group are not directly treating Ebola victims. Instead, they are assigned to set up a modular facility to treat aid workers who might have Ebola. Treatment will be provided by international health workers.
The Langley group will also train international health-care workers before leaving the region, according to an Air Force news release. They worked with U.S. Public Health Service to prepare for the move.
The modular facility is known as the Expeditionary Medical Support System. It can treat a population of up to 6,500.
The U.S. military could deploy up to 4,000 troops to the region, the bulk of them from the Army, the Pentagon has said. Most of the Army units will begin deploying later this month. http://www.dailypress.com/news/military/dp-nws-ebola-langley-eustis-20141006,0,5324647.story

LETTER FROM A NURSE. THERE IS A RISK THAT THE MAYOR IS AFTER Ebola and CRYSTAL.

LETTER FROM A NURSE. THERE IS A RISK THAT THE MAYOR IS AFTER Ebola and CRYSTAL.
standard

I am a nurse in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the Hospital La Paz. The reason for addressing you.'s To inform the public the facts that have happened recently regarding the "Crisis of the Ebola virus" opinion. Do not want to create social alarm, but tell what is still a reality in everyday for a few months of nursing staff the ICU among which I include ago.

Since the hospital was named La Paz as a reference center for the diagnosis and treatment of HIV infection in April 2014, the staff has been showing its disconfor to that measure and irregularities have been committing the direction of nursing the hospital as a whole. (See attachment Notification Judge).

These irregularities summarize, focus on that:

• The hospital does not have adequate infrastructure to enter patients affected with this type of disease (the famous isolation rooms with negative pressure).

• The original protocols of the Ministry of Health were modified to fit like the gaps that had the hospital: If you do not have "negative pressure" we say "as far as is demonstrated airborne transmission is not necessary."

• General (modified or not) protocols are not handed to staff for knowledge, nor were exposed at various meetings with management nursing.

• As ICU care were demanding the implementation of specific protocols UCI (Today still not exist or at least personnel have not arrived)

• Staff training requires the completion of courses and training to work in situations like this.

• The Department of Preventive Medicine Hospital offers two informative talks (45 minutes) of such as personal protective equipment required. In those talks and the inexperience of the same staff that taught, costumes torn apart, replaced the shims for plastic bags, there were no complete SCUBA and coming to say more or less I had to do a hack to cover his face with masking tape.

Without being solved any of these issues by the Department of the hospital, you will hanging out and communicating to staff that will be the Hospital of the defense "Gómez Ulla" who takes these emergencies but as it is in the process of reform to create appropriate facilities, until the month of October will remain referral hospital.

So, without making anyone anything we turned on the evening of August 5, and the staff on duty that night between myself included, through the media found out that it will repatriate the priest. We notify our immediate superior (Supervisor Guard) which completely ignores the way forward taking you to contact the Chief of Hospital on call that night, which in turn know the news and begins to activate the protocol set (remember that until that night the patient was to be admitted to peace). Being the ICU staff in charge of receiving the priest is not made ​​aware of the protocol itself.

It was the next morning, August 6, when thankfully, someone warns of the potential danger of entering the priesthood in a hospital the size of the Peace, without adequate facilities. About 14 hours of the decision to be taken to the 6th floor of the Hospital Carlos III equipped with isolation rooms with negative pressure is taken. From that moment you begin to equip the hospital Carlos III than necessary to accommodate the patient. Here it should be noted that the floor of the hospital was closed without staffing or equipment since the middle of August would begin the conversion work in a hospital ward for the chronically ill. - We'll agree that this is called a "wing".

So during the afternoon of August 6 and the entire staff of both hospitals hurry were providing media said plant. Realising curious cases in which La Paz hospital nurses transporting materials in their own vehicles lacking in the Carlos III. (Now that's "Brand Spain").

Given the lack of staff at the Hospital Carlos III for the above reasons, the Management of Both hospitals determined that ICU staff of Peace is sent to Carlos III. And it is here that due to the improvisation and the lack of criteria other negligence committed more by sending an untrained one on Biological Hazards to treat a patient with one of the most dangerous infections known declared by WHO globally and Public Health emergency. (Here it should be remembered that there is a special unit trained to deal with such cases: the NBC unit or UME Emergency Military Unit).

And here another outrage, Supervisors nursing and self Nursing Management of Peace savvy than their staff is not well trained that has not been given specific training and has not been informed of the protocols to follow is committed or what their function when they visit there, is forced to move with coercion and threats of losing their jobs or disciplinary proceedings open for him if he refuses to be sent to Carlos III.

Today and even though these people have admitted several days, or the direction of nursing and medical direction has been active in organizing action drills taught by competent personnel in personal protective measures for displaced staff. They are the same nurses / os that once there in the Carlos III are reported each other as is the procedure and how protective measures put there. To be fair, the staff of the Carlos III that remained there working with some more training in these cases that we try to train and reassure us in this regard. But this happens there minutes before entering the patient's room. Curiously, the Guide for the selection and use of Personal Protective Equipment in healthcare settings, consists of 50 pages. And the Guide for the Care of Patients with Hemorrhagic Virus in hospitals in USA consists of 225 pages. Both the CDC in Atlanta and available in "PDF" for anyone on your website. Here we have nothing.

It is true that the staff shows their reluctance to go to Carlos III but no one has refused to treat a patient. We only note that we have not been properly trained and given the nature of the disease the risk of infection and possible transmission outside the walls of the Carlos III is a reality that as health professionals must be made aware of who is and who our superior direct not listen to us. The questions are obvious: Why ships untrained?It is incongruous! Why avoid the ultimate responsibility lies with the spread staff without specific training? The Americans would do such a thing ?.

Sorry for the last comment. I've promised myself not to fall into demagogy and be as aseptic as possible narrating the facts truthfully.

Moreover the selection of this staff has done arbitrarily and without judgment. All ICU staff will rotate by the Carlos III. Well, WHO protocol warn that the health or not, staff should minimize exposure time in the room with the patient and reduce as much as possible the number of persons attending the patient continuously. Well if the entire ICU staff walked by, Do not we are increasing exponentially the risk of possible transmission? It is not logical and contravenes the measures ordered by the WHO.

I follow; Staff passing by will not do any monitoring or epidemiological precautionary measure. Once your turn is finished running happily home and the next day, if you do not turn back to Carlos III as you go to work in the ICU of Peace with patients of diverse etiology in many Immunodepressed occasions. It is a contradiction that to get on a plane and control measures are taken and I can come and go and do my normal life as if nothing. This is not consistent.

Finally only remains to emphasize that in all this there is a lot of improvisation and a lot of reckless attitude of those who truly, really ... NOT going to be ahead of the virus at him in the face. Listen to those who are on the front line have something to say.

This case represents the first infection has occurred in Europe

Has been told this newspaper, the nurse resides in Alcorcón, is married and has no children. On Monday, about seven o'clock, he went to the emergency room of the local hospital. She was taken by ambulance and attended an isolation room, a room enabled by the hospital for possible cases of Ebola. Health asked all hospitals habilitasen room for this purpose because he ordered all possible cases continue in his local hospital until contraanálisis were made and cases are confirmed. Apparently, the woman had a week with fever and several spots on the body. By going a few days ago to your GP, this was advised that if I kept finding bad acudiera to an emergency department. Antonio Alemany explained that the patient began a vacation after the death of Manuel García missionary Viejo on September 25 and began showing "vague symptoms" five days later.  

The nurse has just comment that does not know how it has been known infected According to this newspaper, the nurse has just comment that does not know how it has spread, as he followed protocol while attending the missionary said. It is quite frightened, for he lives with his partner, which in principle has no symptoms. His family has also taken to hospital. Other possible cases, commented that Health has contacted Summa professionals who treated this woman and professionals in Alcorcón. He also explained that about thirty health professionals who attended the two missionaries and worked with this woman are undergoing temperature--Controls epidemiological surveillance. Also the spouse of the infected side. In the press conference, Health has offered vague data on this new case of Ebola. You did not specify how many people have been in contact with women or their risk. Nor has detailed the number of people and surroundings- -sanitarios who might have come in contact with the patient or the concrete measures taken to control it. 

 It has not been reported at the same time, where he has spent his vacation. In addition, Ana Mato has eluded arrempiente rule on whether to have brought Spain to the two infected in Africa has avoided religious and discuss possible resignations. Health also said he was unaware one second suspected case of Ebola in Madrid, after transcending an alert nurse against another La Paz hospital. Yes they have indicated that they are investigating possible contacts who have had the nurse and her husband (who has so far tested negative in tests) and recalled that the disease is not contagious until symptoms are not displayed. The nurse living in Alcorcón, is married and has no children in the Hospital de Alcorcón, Tuesday workers will report on what measures should follow cleaning and prevention. 
 Sources have told center 20minutes until just two days ago most of the staff was unaware of the need to apply in these cases protocol. For example, workers cleaning and disinfection, for example, were unaware of the rules. Given these statements, Antonio Alemany has just ensured that the protocol for dealing with such diseases was sent to all hospitals.  
Regarding the isolation room where she met the woman, is adjacent to the Emergency Hospital Alcorcón and near the area used to deposit the waste generated in the health center. So far, it has asked the workers who do not pass through this area. In this situation, Alemany has insisted that the disease is not spread through the air, so it is not necessary to further isolation. Contagion in Europe First Hospital La Paz-Carlos III tried two positive cases of Ebola, Miguel and Manuel García Pajares Viejo, who were repatriated from Liberia. Both died from the effects of the virus. This case represents the first infection has occurred in Europe, since other cases have been in people who were in the affected countries of Africa and which were subsequently moved to Europe.\
  http://www.20minutos.es/noticia/2258248/0/hospital-de-alcorcon/enfermera/caso-de-ebola/#xtor=AD-15&xts=467263

Spanish Nurse Who Treated Ebola Victim in Madrid Tests Positive

Spanish Nurse Who Treated Ebola Victim in Madrid Tests Positive For Disease - 2nd confirming test confirms nosocomial transmission

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The patient, who went on vacation after the death of García Viejo, life has become normal in recent weeks and shows no more symptoms that "a little fever and fatigue," said the director of the primary care Madrid , Antonio Alemany. The patient has a fever, about 38,6º is stable and is awaiting assessment as officials from the Ministry of Health. "We are not aware of any other case," added Alemany. This has added yet unknown what could fail, if they have actually implemented all protocols to prevent contagion, "We do not know yet what could fail are investigating the mechanism of infection.".

Minister Ana Mato, in an extraordinary appearance before reporters, said that the protocol was "immediately activated to assist the patient and ensure the safety of health workers who treats and citizens." "We are working to verify the source of infection," added the minister. Has begun the study of all the contacts you have had this woman, including those who have had with health professionals Hospital Alcorcón.

The woman is stable and has fever 38,6º

...This is the third case of Ebola fallecieron- treated in Spain-the first two and the first in which the patient is not repatriated from Africa or is treated in the hospital Carlos III de Madrid. The capital has already activated the protocol in September when a Brazilian disturbing symptoms presented in the Southern Bus Station.
The patient was admitted in the morning with a high fever. So the hospital activated the protocol before a possible case of Ebola and is isolated in the emergency room. A total of 60 health professionals who have had contact with the affected are under surveillance, according to a spokesman for the Union of Nursing.She is a woman of 44, married and childless, of Galician origin but has been in the Carlos III over 15 years, according to other health center that consulted by this newspaper. These other colleagues who, as the affected, have been working in shifts to care of the missionaries, have expressed surprise at the spread as protective measures were "extreme". Health protection two monkeys wearing two pairs of gloves and goggles when treated patients.

The primary care manager of the Community of Madrid, Antonio Alemany, explained at the press conference with the affected Mato entered at any time in the room with García Viejo "protective equipment" and that there is no evidence that there had been other contact. He also explained that the affected went on vacation the day after the death of this missionary. "We have already begun the study of all the contacts you have had this patient, including health professionals Hospital Alcorcón who have served," added Alemany.

The partners have also explained to the doors of the center, the hospital was not evacuated to attend the second missionary because the sixth floor (the infectious intended) was already sealed since he attended the first affected. To access this facility, the professionals have a specific card.

We do not know what could fail we investigated the mechanism of infection..http://elpais.com/elpais/2014/10/06/...15_352524.html

Rwanda Govt on high alert as Marburg Virus is reported in Uganda

06

Oct

Following reports of an outbreak of the deadly Marburg hemorrhagic fever in neighbouring Uganda, officials from the Ministry of Health yesterday said they are going to monitor the evolution of the virus spread before they could issue a public alert.

A Rwandan medical official screens travellers crossing into Rwanda from DR Congo for Ebola. The country is on high alert as Marburg, an Ebola-like disease is confirmed in Uganda. (File)

Speaking to The New Times yesterday, Nathan Mugume, the head of the communication division at Rwanda Biomedical Centre, said: “In such a situation, we strengthen border surveillance and work with neighbouring countries to monitor how the virus is scaling up.”
Marburg is a severe and highly fatal disease caused by a virus from the same family as one that causes Ebola hemorrhagic fever. According to the World Health Organisation, the illness caused by Marburg virus begins abruptly, with severe headache and malaise.
Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni confirmed the outbreak on his Twitter account yesterday evening.
He wrote; “The Ministry of Health has confirmed a case of Marburg death. Stay calm but vigilant.
Avoid shaking hands and cooperate with health workers. I have directed the ministry to immediately send out public alerts and provide as much information to the people as possible. Do cooperate.”...http://in2eastafrica.net/govt-on-high-alert-as-marburg-virus-is-reported-in-uganda/

Man dies from Ebola-like Marburg virus in Uganda's capital

10:35am October 6, 2014

An electron micrograph of the Marburg virus, which is known as one of the most deadly pathogens. (Picture: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases)

A hospital technician has died of the Ebola-like Marburg virus in Uganda, 11 days after falling ill.
The man, aged 30, died in the Mengo hospital where he worked in the capital of the east African country on September 28.
Tests confirmed the presence of the disease two days later.
The Marburg virus is one of the most deadly known pathogens. Like Ebola, it causes severe bleeding, fever, vomiting and diarrhoea.
The victim's brother and one other person he was in contact with have so far "developed signs" of the disease, the ministry of health said in a statement.
"So far, a total of 80 people who got into contact with the initial confirmed case have been identified and isolated" the statement read.
"These include 38 health workers from Mengo hospital and 22 health workers from Mpigi Health Center IV."
Like Ebola, the Marburg virus is transmitted via contact with bodily fluids and fatality rates range from 25 percent to 80 percent.
Uganda's Prime Minister Dr Ruhakana Rugunda said the government could deal with any outbreak.
"Uganda has previously successfully handled similar situations of health threats involving hemorrhagic fevers," he tweeted.
A Marburg outbreak in Uganda in October 2012 killed 10 people, about half of those who were confirmed infected with the disease.
Researchers announced in August that a drug developed by Canada's Tekmira Pharmaceuticals helped monkeys survive the deadly Marburg infection in tests.

Read more at http://www.9news.com.au/health/2014/10/06/05/52/man-dies-from-ebola-like-marburg-virus-in-uganda#sqestJPwg1b3r1r7.99

 Tumwesigye said 20 other people who were involved in the burial process of the deceased are also being monitored in Kasese district in western Uganda.
 http://www.shanghaidaily.com/article/article_xinhua.aspx?id=245038

Nigerian woman quarantined in Kansas City with Ebola-Like symptoms

A Nigerian woman in Kansas City has been quarantined with Ebola-Like symptoms. It seems like now, if anybody throws up, they immediately suspect Ebola. WTF has this country become under Obama. According to Gateway Pundit, q Kansas City apartment building in the 3600 block of East Meyer Boulevard where the woman was living was sealed off because she is sick with something that may be contagious. Don’t know yet if it’s Ebola. Based on the recent ‘Ebola-like’ symptoms of people being rushed to the hospital for throwing up, this Nigerian woman probably just has a bad cold or something.

Nigerian woman quarantined in Kansas City with Ebola-Like symptoms

A source in Kansas City confirmed the story to the Gateway Pundit and added some details.
A Nigerian woman was taken to the hospital with a high fever and Ebola like symptoms. Her apartment building was quarantined, though that may have been lifted later.
The source added the Nigerian woman initially tested negative for Ebola and was released (or set to be released) but was called back to the hospital. The source said parts of the hospital may be quarantined but the hospital is not confirming anything.
The CDC is reportedly on the way, according to the source. http://www.fireandreamitchell.com/2014/10/05/nigerian-woman-quarantined-kansas-city-ebola-like-symptoms/

Uganda Health ministry issues alert after Marburg death

Health ministry issues alert after Marburg death
Publish Date: Oct 05, 2014

By Vision Reporter
The Ministry of Health has today announced one fatal case of Marburg disease. The victim is a 30 year old health worker.
The victim had been a radiographer, or X-ray technician, at the Mpigi Health Centre IV, but was recruited two months ago for a similar position at Mengo Hospital. When he felt ill on September 17, he traveled back to Mpigi for treatment since “he felt more confortable with a facility that he had worked with for a long time.”
Marburg is one of the five members of the family of filoviruses, to which Ebola belongs. Like Ebola, a person infected with Marburg will experience a sudden onset of fever.
The most common additional signs are headache, joint and muscle pains, vomiting blood, and bleeding through body openings. The disease has a two to 21-day incubation period and, like Ebola, has no cure other than supportive treatment.
Today’s statement from Elioda Tumwesigye, Minister of State for General Duties & Holding the Portfolio of Minister for Health, describes a total of 80 people who were in contact with the man have been identified and isolated to follow for signs and symptoms.
President Yoweri Museveni immediately called for vigilance. "The Ministry of health is tracing all the people including relatives who may have been in close contact. Please report suspicious cases," Museveni said on twitter.
"Stay calm but vigilant. Avoid shaking hands and cooperate with health workers."
Prime Minister Ruhakana Rugunda reassured the country of measures to control the disease.
"Marburg is a Viral Hemorrhagic fever caused by the Marburg virus. Ministry of Helath has put in place rigorous surveillance and disease control measures.  Uganda has experience and adequate capacity to deal with this health threat & World Health Organisation has been informed," Prime Minister Ruhakana Rugunda said.
"The public has also been alerted to report any suspected cases on the Ministry hotline on +256750996034, " he added.
"Uganda has previously successfully handled similar situations of health threats involving Hemorrhagic fevers."
FULL STATEMENT
Ministry of Health Press Statement on confirmed Marburg Fever death
The Ministry of Health would like to inform the general public that there is a confirmed case of Marburg in the country. 
This initial case follows laboratory tests done at the Uganda Virus Research Institute (UVRI) on September 30th 2014 which confirmed that one person, a health worker, had died of the viral hemorrhagic fever.

The index case is a 30-year-old male Radiographer, who originally was working in Mpigi Health Centre IV, Mpigi Town Council but had been recruited by Mengo Hospital two month ago as a Radiographer. He started feeling unwell on September 17th while at Mengo Hospital and travelled back to Mpigi HCIV on September 18th to seek treatment since he felt more comfortable with a facility that he had worked with for a long time. 
He was treated at Mpigi Health Center IV but when his condition worsened, he was transferred back to Mengo Hospital where he was admitted on September 23rd. He presented with Headache, Epistaxis, abdominal pain, vomiting blood and diarrhea. His condition deteriorated on September 27th and a Viral Haemorraghic fever was suspected. Blood samples were removed for further analysis on September 28th; unfortunately he died on the same day. His body was taken to Munkunyu 1 Village, Munkunyu Sub-county, Kasese district for burial.

Preliminary reports also show that his brother, one of the contacts so far listed has developed signs. He has been quarantined and isolated for further monitoring. Samples have been taken from him and are being tested at the Uganda Virus Research Institute. The public will be informed of his status. Altogether 80 contacts have been listed from Mengo, Mpigi and Kasese for follow up. 

Marburg Viral Haemorraghic fever is a fatal illness caused by the Marburg virus which belongs to the filoviridae family together with the Ebola virus. The incubation period ranges from 2 to 21 days while the Case fatality rates vary from 24% to 88%. Fruit bats of the Pteropodidae family are considered to be the natural hosts of Marburg virus. The Marburg virus is transmitted to people from the fruit bats and spreads among humans through human-to-human transmission by direct contact with wounds and body fluids like blood, saliva, vomitus, stool and urine of an infected person.
A person suffering from Marburg presents with sudden onset of high fever with any of the following; 
1. Headache
2. Vomiting blood
3. Joint and muscle pains
4. Bleeding through the body openings, i.e. eyes, nose, gums, ears, anus and the skin. 
There is no specific antiviral treatment or vaccine available; patients are usually given supportive treatment.
The Ministry of Health is undertaking the following measures to control the spread of the disease;
• Yesterday, a team of epidemiologists and surveillance officers were sent to Mpigi Health Center IV, Mengo Hospital and to Kasese district to investigate the case and list all people who got into contact with the dead. 
• So far, a total of 80 people who got into contact with the initial confirmed case have been identified and isolated as a precautionary measure and for follow up for any signs and symptoms within the 21 days incubation period. These include 38 health workers from Mengo Hospital, including his brother and 22 health workers from Mpigi Health Center IV and 20 people from Kasese district. They are currently being monitored by a team of epidemiologists from the Ministry of Health. 
• Arrangements have been put in place to transport all suspect cases to the National Isolation Facility in Entebbe should they occur. The facility is already stocked with the necessary infection control materials and other supplies to handle any incoming patients. 
• Arrangements have also been made at Mengo Hospital to isolate any suspect with symptoms. Health workers have been asked to effect all infection control measures. 
• Preparations are underway to train all health workers at Mengo Hospital and Mpigi Health Center IV on infection control starting tomorrow 6/10/2014 at 9.00am
• Government working with partners and specifically Medicens San Frontiers (MSF) are in the process of revamping the isolation facility at Mulago National Referral Hospital under the leadership of Kampala Capital City Authority in readiness and the facility will be ready in three days time. 
• MSF is also mobilizing additional resources to assist with infection control and case management at all the isolation facilities that have been set up.
• The World Health Organization (WHO) is providing technical assistance and logistical support (PPE’s) to all the affected facilities.
• In Kasese, a team has been dispatched to work with the district official and Kagando Hospital to trace for any other suspects. 
• Personal Protective Equipments (PPE’s) and other supplies have been mobilized and sent to Mengo and Mpigi health center IV and Kagando HCIV.
• National Medical Stores will supply additional infection control materials to Mengo Hospital and Mpigi HCIV by tomorrow morning. 
The Ministry of Health however informs the general Public that Mengo Hospital is safe and all measures have been taken to ensure that there is no further spread of infection. Patients are encouraged to continue to receive services from there. 
Ministry of Health urges the general public to observe the following protective measures;
• Report any suspected patient to a nearby health unit 
• Avoid direct contact with body fluids of a person presenting with bleeding tendencies or symptoms of Marburg. 
The Ministry of Health once again calls upon the public to remain calm and be on alert amidst this epidemic. All suspect cases can be reported on the Ministry hotline on +256750996034.  http://www.newvision.co.ug/news/660425-health-ministry-issues-alert-after-marburg-death.html

Hospital aide dies from #Ebola-like Marburg virus in Uganda

Agence France-Presse
05 Oct 2014                   

A health worker, wearing Personal Protective Equipment, stands inside the high-risk area at Elwa hospital in Monrovia on September 7, 2014 (AFP Photo/Dominique Faget)

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A hospital technician has died of the Ebola-like Marburg virus in Kampala, the Ugandan government announced on Sunday.
The man, aged 30, died in the Mengo hospital where he worked in the capital of the east African country on September 28, 11 days after falling ill, the authorities said.
Tests confirmed the presence of the disease two days later.

The Marburg virus is one of the most deadly known pathogens. Like Ebola, it causes severe bleeding, fever, vomiting and diarrhoea.
The victim’s brother and one other person he was in contact with have so far “developed signs” of the disease, the ministry of health said in a statement.
“So far, a total of 80 people who got into contact with the initial confirmed case have been identified and isolated” for the 21-day incubation period, it added.
“These include 38 health workers from Mengo hospital and 22 health workers from Mpigi Health Center IV.”
Like Ebola, the Marburg virus is transmitted via contact with bodily fluids and fatality rates range from 25 percent to 80 percent.
Uganda’s Prime Minister Dr Ruhakana Rugunda said the government could deal with any outbreak. “Uganda has previously successfully handled similar situations of health threats involving hemorrhagic fevers,” he wrote on Twitter.
A Marburg outbreak in Uganda in October 2012 killed 10 people, about half of those who were confirmed infected with the disease.
The Ebola epidemic that has been raging in west Africa has so far claimed almost 3,500 lives, with Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone worst hit.
Researchers announced in August that a drug developed by Canada’s Tekmira Pharmaceuticals helped monkeys survive the deadly Marburg infection in tests. http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2014/10/hospital-aide-dies-from-ebola-like-marburg-virus-in-uganda/

Russia from the West African countries allegedly found signs of #Ebola.

Ebola came to Russia? At 220 students - the signs of the deadly disease

03.10.2014 | Source:

To Pravda.Ru

More than 200 students from 557 guests to study in Russia from the West African countries allegedly found signs of Ebola.

"The situation is under control of the Federal Service for Supervision of Consumer Rights Protection and Human Welfare" - quoted by LifeNews agency representatives. On the eve it was reported that the third-year student of the Ural Federal University was taken to the infectious disease clinic with suspected fever.
The young man "unspecified acute upper respiratory tract infection." A few days before he returned from Guinea.  https://translate.google.com/translate?sl=auto&tl=en&js=y&prev=_t&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pravda.ru%2Fnews%2Fhealth%2F03-10-2014%2F1229510-ebola-0%2F&edit-text=

First US Ebola Patient Dies???

10/5/2014, Tishrei 11, 5775

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First US Ebola Patient Dies

Thomas A. Duncan, who became ill with Ebola after arriving from West Africa in Dallas two weeks ago, succumbed to the virus today (Sunday), reports Reuters. Duncan was fighting for his life at a Dallas hospital on today after his condition worsened to critical, according to the director of the US Centers for Disease Control.
The Dallas hospital that admitted him did not recognize the deadly disease at first and sent him home, only for him to return two days later by ambulance. http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/Flash.aspx/305795#.VDFxft33arW

Patient being tested in Delaware for possible Ebola virus

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Posted: Oct 05, 2014 8:12 PM EST Updated: Oct 05, 2014 8:14 PM EST

(FOX NEWS)A patient with Ebola-like symptoms is being tested for the deadly virus at a Delaware hospital, Fox News confirmed Sunday.
A nurse at Bayhealth Kent General Hospital in Dover confirmed to Fox News that a patient exhibiting Ebola symptoms has been placed in isolation in the hospital and is being tested for the deadly virus, but did not give any more detail.
The only confirmed U.S. Ebola patient, Thomas Eric Duncan, is in critical condition at a Dallas hospital.
Also Sunday, officials said after several hours of searching they located a homeless man who was sought because of possible contact with Duncan.
The person is not considered to be one of the 10 people who definitely had contact with Thomas Eric Duncan, who is in critical condition at a Dallas hospital. However, he is part of a larger group of 38 people who may have been around Duncan when he was showing symptoms of the disease, officials said.
He was found a few hours after officials on Sunday morning announced he was missing, Dallas city spokeswoman Sana Syed said.
Dallas County Judge Clay Jenkins called the man, whom he didn't identify, a "low-risk individual." Authorities had monitored him a day earlier but want to take his temperature regularly to make sure he doesn't have a fever, a possible symptom of Ebola infection.
Jenkins said the man would receive a mental health evaluation at Dallas' Parkland Hospital. The man will eventually be placed in housing that give allow health workers direct access to him daily. Syed said it was unlikely that the man would be placed in a homeless shelter.
The group of 10 people is composed of seven health care workers and three family members or community contacts, said Dr. Tom Frieden, director of the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
About 800 calls and emails are coming in daily to the CDC on Ebola, up from about 50 to 100 before Duncan was diagnosed on Tuesday, Frieden said. Frieden said he is scheduled to brief President Barack Obama on Monday.
Duncan has been hospitalized at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital for one week and was listed Sunday in critical condition. Frieden said Sunday that he was aware that Duncan's health had "taken a turn for the worse," but he declined to say what signs of poor health Duncan had shown.
Four members of a family who hosted Duncan in their northeast Dallas apartment are under isolation, though they have not shown symptoms of infection. http://www.myfoxphilly.com/story/26709462/patient-being-tested-in-delaware-for-possible-ebola-virus

Sierra Leone records 121 #Ebola deaths in a single day

FREETOWN Sun Oct 5, 2014 7:54pm EDT

(Reuters) - Sierra Leone recorded 121 deaths from Ebola and scores of new infections in one of the single deadliest days since the disease appeared in the West African country more than four months ago, government health statistics showed on Sunday.
The figures, which covered the period through Saturday, put the total number of deaths at 678, up from 557 the day before. The daily statistics compiled by Sierra Leone's Emergency Operations Centre also showed 81 new cases of the hemorrhagic fever.
Ebola was first reported in Guinea in March and has since spread to neighboring Liberia and Sierra Leone in what has become the worst epidemic of the disease since Ebola was identified in 1976.
Smaller outbreaks in Nigeria and Senegal were brought under control. The United States last week confirmed its first Ebola case, a Liberian national who had traveled to Texas.
The overall death toll from the epidemic reached 3,439 out of a total of 7,492 cases in West Africa and the United States as of Oct. 1, the World Health Organization said last week. The U.N. agency's statistics varied from those compiled by Sierra Leone.
After an initial slow response, international assistance and supplies are now pouring into West Africa.
The United States is deploying around 4,000 military personnel to the region to support efforts to combat the outbreak in Liberia, the country worst hit by the disease.
Britain and China have sent personnel to Sierra Leone. Cuba dispatched a 165-member medical team, including specialists and nurses, to Sierra Leone last week.
The country's deputy health and sanitation minister Madina Rahman said on Saturday that the Cuban team's mission would last at least six months.
She said the team would be deployed to areas across Sierra Leone.
(Reporting by Umaru Fofana; Writing by Joe Bavier; Editing by Jonathan Oatis)
 http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/10/05/us-health-ebola-leone-idUSKCN0HU0ZT20141005

CDC Officials to Meet Newark Plane Carrying Sick Passenger: Authorities

Saturday, Oct 4, 2014 • Updated at 1:50 PM EDT

Health officials were called to Newark Liberty International Airport to meet a plane on the runway Saturday, after a passenger began vomiting while en route from Brussels, officials said.

Officials from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention were on their way to meet the plane Saturday afternoon after it landed at Gate 54, according to the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. The plane, United Flight 990, was carrying 255 people.

The incident comes amid concerns that the outbreak of Ebola in West Africa could be spread by international travelers. The first person diagnosed with Ebola in the United States went to a Dallas hospital last week but was mistakenly sent home, despite revealing he was visiting from Liberia. U.S. health care officials have said the American health system is equipped to prevent an outbreak in the U.S.

The CDC and United Airlines did not immediately respond to messages seeking comment.  http://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/CDC-Officials-to-Meet-Newark-Plane-Carrying-Sick-Passenger--278121131.html