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Thursday, July 10, 2014

Border incident halts refugee return

Ivorian refugees in Liberia: Violence that caused their departure now mars their return

The United Nations has reported that the return of Ivorian refugees from Liberia has been undermined by recent cross-border attacks into Western Ivory Coast. The refugees would now have to wait as the temporary halt in repatriation remains in place, according to UN officials in Liberia, on Tuesday. More than 150,000 Ivorian refugees fled to Liberia in 2010, in the wake of the post election violence in the Ivory Coast. Among the 60,000 refugees remaining in camps are fighters who supported former President Laurent Gbagbo. http://cmiliberia.org/blog/2013/03/27/border-incident-halts-refugee-return/

Ebola: the “Rumor” that is Proving to be a National Tragedy

By: 
Magdalene Matthews
Exactly two months ago, when the initial ebola outbreak seemed to be subsiding in the country, I wrote an article entitled, When the Nurse Happens to Be Your Mom: More Reasons Why Environmental and Occupational Health Must be Prioritized. It was published in the Daily Observer in May. While the intent of that article was to review pertinent lessons learnt from the passing epidemic and hopefully draw attention to the plight of health care workers in the line of danger, little did I know that just few weeks later, the very lessons I attempted to draw from the situation would be the headlines of an even more tragic national outbreak. Little did I also know that it would hit so close to home.

In late May, during a work related visit to Lofa, a colleague fell ill and had to be taken to the Tellowoyan Hospital. It was with great shock and sorrow that we found out that the pleasant young nurse who attended to my colleague during his bout of malaria lost her life to ebola just a few days ago. With an ever increasing spread and death toll, the “rumor” many believed to be just another story has sadly proven to be much more than fiction, but a real Greek tragedy which the nation is struggling to grapple with.

Just think about it for a minute. How can we possibly live in a country riding taxis and vehicles with four persons cramped in the backseat and not exchange some amount of bodily fluids?
How does a mother stop caring for her sick child even though that child is showing possible signs of the disease? How does a husband not care for a sick wife? How do you overcome the grief of not being able to partake in the burial of your loved one lost to ebola? Indeed, this is one epidemic which cuts to the very core of our humanity as a nation.
Ever more relevant today, I revisited my May article: “Lookin..http://www.liberianobserver.com/environment/ebola-%E2%80%9Crumor%E2%80%9D-proving-be-national-tragedy

Sierra Leone News: 28 people survive Ebola in Salone


Thursday July 10, 2014
The Bo District Medical Officer Dr Alhaji S. Turay has told Journalists that “the people of Sierra Leone have got some good news to celebrate about Ebola.” He made this disclosure to Journalists and the 11 Members of Parliament from the Bo District at the Endemic Disease Control office on Wednesday July 2.
Ever since the outbreak of Ebola, he explained that out of the 433 Screened Ebola cases, 211 have been confirmed positive of the dreadful disease. Out of the 211, Kailahun he expressed has 165; Kenema has 42; Kambia 1; Port Loko 2 and Bo 1.
And out of the 211 total infected cases within the country, 67, he revealed, have died of the disease.
Kailahun he narrated has recorded 57 deaths with the remaining 10 deaths happening in Kenema.

The 28 people that have survived the terrible disease he explicated did so after having been put on “supportive treatment” at the Government Hospital in Kenema which he over emphasized was the only Hospital in Sierra Leone to diagnose and treat Ebola.
“The 28 people were put on supportive treatment and they have survived,” Dr Turay stated. This he said was “good news to everybody concerned.”
Meanwhile, he further stated that there were still 45 people admitted with Ebola at the Government Hospital in Kenema.
He further revealed that at the newly established Ebola Tent Treatment Camp in Kailahun, 13 people were still admitted.
By Jenkins Bawoh http://awoko.org/2014/07/10/sierra-leone-news-28-people-survive-ebola-in-salone/

Ebola: the Deputy Director-General of WHO is living in Guinea

Thurs, July 10th, 2014, 1:11 p.m. 

The Deputy Director-General of WHO responsible for safety and the environment, Dr Keiji Fukuba is on a working visit to Conakry, found on site Guineenews.

 
Arrived yesterday in 20 hours (note: local time), from Sierra Leone, Dr. Keiji Fukuba will have a working session with the WHO Representative in Guinea,    the Special Representative of the Regional Director of WHO    Africa and the Coordinator of the emergency response    the Ebola outbreak in Guinea.
 
When we put online this dispatch, he was going to visit the treatment center Ebola Donka. It was after this visit that he could have a meeting with President Alpha Condé, the Minister of Health and the Interministerial Commission response to the epidemic that has    307 deaths in 408 confirmed cases (according to the latest statistics).
 
It is also scheduled a meeting with the partners involved in the fight                     against the epidemic of Ebola haemorrhagic fever.
 
Before his scheduled departure on July 11, Dr. Keiji Fukuba could host a conference in the early evening on Thursday July 10.
 
The visit of Dr. Keiji Fukuba comes a week after the international meeting organized by the institution in Accra to find the best strategies for responding to the epidemic. http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=auto&tl=en&u=http%3A%2F%2Fguineenews.org%2F
 
We will return.

three new destinations in West Africa

Gambia Bird Airlines has announced the launch of services to three new destinations in West Africa.  The new services will operate from Gambia Bird’s home base of Banjul, The Gambia, to Bissau, in Guinea-Bissau, Lagos, in Nigeria, Dakar in Senegal, and Douala, in Cameroon, as well as from each of the new destinations to points across the airline’s growing network.  The new services will allow Gambia Bird to double the number of connections previously offered, with 25 connections each week from Dakar, 20 from Banjul, 20 from Freetown, 18 from Accra, 15 from Lagos and 18 from Monrovia.  Flights to a fourth new destination, Conakry, in Guinea, will be launched as soon as local conditions allow. - See more http://www.ghanaiantimes.com.gh/gambia-bird-launches-3-new-destinations-west-africa/
Gambia Bird Airlines has announced the launch of services to three new destinations in West Africa.
The new services will operate from Gambia Bird’s home base of Banjul, The Gambia, to Bissau, in Guinea-Bissau, Lagos, in Nigeria, Dakar in Senegal, and Douala, in Cameroon, as well as from each of the new destinations to points across the airline’s growing network.
The new services will allow Gambia Bird to double the number of connections previously offered, with 25 connections each week from Dakar, 20 from Banjul, 20 from Freetown, 18 from Accra, 15 from Lagos and 18 from Monrovia.
Flights to a fourth new destination, Conakry, in Guinea, will be launched as soon as local conditions allow.
- See more at: http://www.ghanaiantimes.com.gh/gambia-bird-launches-3-new-destinations-west-africa/#sthash.hmRO4Py6.dpuf
Gambia Bird Airlines has announced the launch of services to three new destinations in West Africa.
The new services will operate from Gambia Bird’s home base of Banjul, The Gambia, to Bissau, in Guinea-Bissau, Lagos, in Nigeria, Dakar in Senegal, and Douala, in Cameroon, as well as from each of the new destinations to points across the airline’s growing network.
The new services will allow Gambia Bird to double the number of connections previously offered, with 25 connections each week from Dakar, 20 from Banjul, 20 from Freetown, 18 from Accra, 15 from Lagos and 18 from Monrovia.
Flights to a fourth new destination, Conakry, in Guinea, will be launched as soon as local conditions allow.
- See more at: http://www.ghanaiantimes.com.gh/gambia-bird-launches-3-new-destinations-west-africa/#sthash.hmRO4Py6.dpuf

Sierra Leone EBOLA Update
as of Tuesday 10th June, 2014

•A total of 114 cases have been tested with 43 confirmed cases of Ebola and 16 deaths. All deaths are confirmed cases from Kailahun District; two (2) of which traveled from Kailahun to Kambia district. These patients have been isolated and contacts are being traced.

 Interventions
•The outreach medical team is still in the field searching for more cases
•Sensitization of the communities including the traditional healers is still on going.
•Ebola Physician Specialist from WHO Head Quarter now in Kenema to support case management at the treatment
•A meeting with SLANGO (Sierra Leone Association of Non-governmental Organizations) which includes faith based organizations and non-health international NGO members was concluded today. The Minister was able to get commitment from these organizations to support the fight against the spread of the disease. http://news.sl/drwebsite/publish/article_200525558.shtml

For Ebola … DMO bans bush meat sales in Bo



As a matter of fighting the Ebola outbreak in Sierra Leone or more so stopping its transfer to Bo, the District Medical Officer has proposed the stopping of the killing and sales of “bush meat” in the city of Bo. The DMO, Dr Alhaji S Turay also proposed the putting up of check points at some strategic entrance locations in the Bo City. The Paramount Chief Prince Lappia Boima accepted the first proposal of “not selling bush meat” in the city but held reservation towards the second proposal of check pointsTherefore, a Task Force has been set up in the city for monitoring the importation animals like “monkeys, baboons, bush cows,” from which bush meats could be attained. As at present, the Market Sellers Association has accepted the proposal too and is also helping with the monitoring of the sales of bush meat in both the markets and outside the market.

GOL engages Delta over suspension of flight to Liberia

The Government of Liberia is in high-level consultations with the management of Delta Airlines intended to explore options that will not disrupt the experience and convenience of traveling via Delta.
A government delegation comprising Counselor Seward Cooper, Minister of State for Legal and Economic Affairs and Mr. Gyude Moore, Deputy Chief of Office Staff in the Office of the President, is in Atlanta, Georgia, to meet with the management of Delta Airlines, after Delta informed the government of the suspension of its service to Monrovia, effective August 31, 2014, due to weak passenger demand.

It can be recalled that in 2010, Delta Airlines commenced direct flights to New York from Monrovia via Accra, Ghana. While Nigeria and Ghana, two other destinations of Delta Airlines, are netting 10,000,000 and over 2,000,000 passengers per year respectively, Liberia’s highest passenger level was only 205,000, recorded in 2013.

Delta has informed the Liberian Government that the last eastbound flight from New York will occur on August 30th, and the last westbound flight from Monrovia will be on August 31st.

Meanwhile, the management of Delta Airlines has thanked the Liberian Government for the support it continues to receive, and has reassured the government that it will continue to explore avenues that are economically feasible for the lifting of the suspension and a resumption of direct flights  between Liberia and the United States. http://www.thenewdawnliberia.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=12109:gol-engages-delta-over-suspension-of-flight-to-liberia-&catid=36:investment&Itemid=62

Health workers flee Ebola

Health workers in Liberia are said to be fleeing and returning from their areas of assignment due to the increasing number of Ebola patients. Some are said to have died from treating patients infected by the deadly virus.
Speaking in plenary yesterday at the Capitol Building, Senate’s Committee Chairman on Health, Dr. Peter Coleman disclosed that there were 12 cases of health workers infected by the Ebola Virus- ten of whom have already died; and as a result, trained and professional health workers were leaving their areas of assignment at clinics and hospitals for fear of being infected.

The Grand Kru County Senator noted that the only option to maintain these health workers is for the government to direct sufficient funds to efforts against the deadly virus which has engulfed the sub region and could be uncontrollable for months.
He said the Ministry of Health has proposed the amount of US$1.5 million to combat the epidemic or the population of the country could be in serious danger.

Maryland County Senator H. Dan Morais called on the administration to decide on a national state of emergency- an action that would enable officers of the Armed Forces of Liberia along with health workers to be posted from the Red-light via Gardnerville to the Gabriel Tucker Bridge for inspection and testing to determine carriers of the virus.

The Liberian Senate, through a motion from Lofa County Senator George Tingbeh, agreed that the leaderships of the both House of Representatives and Liberian Senate submit a resolution to President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, calling for the immediate provision of the US$1.5 million in order to combat the deadly. On July 1, 2014, a medical practitioner from Uganda, involved with the fight against the spread of the Ebola virus in Liberia, died... http://www.thenewdawnliberia.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=12101:health-workers-flee-ebola&catid=46:health&Itemid=60

WHO Delegation Pays Courtesy Call on President Koroma



By State House Communications Unit
who 1
A high level delegation from the World Health Organization (WHO) led by Dr Keiji Fukunda, Assistant Director General for Health Security paid a courtesy call on President Dr Ernest Bai Koroma at State House on Wednesday 9th July while on its mission to evaluate the situation on the ground and how best to partner with the Ministry of Health and Sanitation to contain the Ebola outbreak in the country.
The delegation was accompanied by the Minister of Health and Sanitation, Miatta Kargbo. Other members of the delegation included Dr Benido Impouma, WHO Ebola Coordinator in West Africa and Dr Jacob Mufunda, WHO Country Representative in Sierra Leone.
Welcoming the delegation, President Koroma commended the efforts of the Ministry of Health and Sanitation for putting trained personnel in the field to handle cases of Ebola in the two affected districts of Kailahun and Kenema. “By the update we are getting,” the President said, “the Ebola virus is a serious matter and needs very serious attention. Even though the number of deaths has increased, we have cases of people that have been discharged which is an indication that something positive is happening,” he stressed.

Meanwhile, the President also reported on government’s collaborative efforts through ministries, parliamentarians and political parties in addressing the challenges, especially the perception of local communities that Ebola does not exist; a situation that has been addressed with high sensitization campaigns. Now that the people have fully realized that Ebola is real, President Koroma strongly appealed to all including donor partners to come onboard to get rid of this deadly disease. “I am sure with those collaborative efforts we will be able to address it and in this regard we direly need the support of the international community to align their own intervention with ours so as to work as a team. We don’t need to have parallel programs in this approach.”

“I am happy that you indicated that the situation has not yet gone out of control. We hope that WHO will do all that it can to ensure that the issue of additional professional equipment, ambulances, protective gears, the training of people that will handle the situation within the affected areas and also those that we need to put in a state of preparedness out of Kenema and Kailahun districts will enhance and continue the overall sensitization,” said President Koroma.

In response, Dr Keiji Fukunda said the visit was not only to do an assessment with respect to the gravity of the situation on the ground, but to discuss with President Koroma and the people of Sierra Leone about what WHO and other partners can do to help the country in the fight against the outbreak. Dr Fukunda reported that during a meeting in Accra on the Ebola outbreak in the sub-region, it was noted that President Koroma’s speech on the outbreak was considered to be a critical step forward as it captured the attention of all participants owing to the tone and gravity of the situation reported in the speech.

According to the WHO representative, some of the major challenges of the outbreak have to do with people and communities being scared and terrified by rumours, which he said are the most difficult things to address in such a situation. He commended the efforts of the Health Minister, saying that she has been on top of the situation. “I know that this kind of situation needs the right staff and expertise, and WHO will therefore continue working closely with the ministry and other organizations working here to bring as much of the world’s resources as possible to attend to this bad disease”.

Allaying the fears of the people, the WHO Assistant Director General for Health Security who had travelled with the Health Minister to Kailahun and Kenema, disagreed with the views that the Ebola situation in the country is out of control. “I don’t believe that the situation is out of control; I do believe however that the situation is urgent and serious, but I believe that the right steps have been implemented,” adding that it is a matter of more persistence and more work to get a turn around.
He further intimated that Ebola is now a sub-regional issue. “This is really now a sub-regional issue and I think working with your counterparts will be very important.” Dr Fukunda also noted that countries like Uganda and DR Congo which had been previously affected can be called upon to provide expertise and technical assistance to help with the fight against the disease. “The appropriate person to call for such assistance is you, Mr. President,” he suggested.  http://www.statehouse.gov.sl/index.php/component/content/article/34-news-articles/909-who-delegation-pays-courtesy-call-on-president-koroma

Man diagnosed with rare pneumonic plague in Colorado

Sierra Leone News : Segbwema Traumatized… as Students of Nixon Hospital AWOL


By Augustine Samba
Jul 8, 2014, 17:12



Medical Superintendent of the Nixon Hospital Dr. Tamba Missa
Residents of Kailahun especially in Segbwema Town had been living in a state of panic since one of the major teaching hospitals; Nixon Memorial Hospital permitted its students to go on French Leave.The hospital which also serves as a major referral hospital and its services almost came to a halt since the dreadful Ebola Disease commenced a death race in the Kailahun District. Even though there has been no report of Ebola patients in that Community, yet many residents are now asking critical questions as to whether the hospital is not prepared to fight the Ebola Disease.

In times of war, when a barracks closes down, it is always a cause for concern especially when there are not enough boots on the ground and when the enemy is advancing. In most cases it is called tactical withdrawal; but for strategic locations like these, the answer should be to defend at all cost. Such sites should be well fortified to bring security to its environs. The fall or capture of a major military location is dangerous. The people are hoping that the Nixon Memorial Hospital be re-opened to meet the challenges of the epidemic and be used as a spring board to effectively contain the spread of the virus with the supply of all necessary gargets to fight Ebola.

The morale of our frontline fighters (medical personnel and first handlers) must not be demoralized.

According to the MP for Constituency 07, Hon. Abu Jajua, the people in his constituency have complied with the government public notice to close all schools and centres which gather people in large numbers.
He said the closure of the Nixon Memorial Teaching Hospital was due to lack of medical equipment and protective gears to support staff to safely and effectively handle Ebola cases that may be referred to the hospital.

Hon. Jajua, said his constituents fear that all fever symptoms are now regarded as suspected Ebola cases, and since Ebola treatment is free, they can visit the hospital and take treatment without paying. When asked whether medical students and staff should take part in the effective training for this outbreak and any similar outbreak, he said government should provide more support and training for staff and students at the hospital and also noted that the hospital is running at a loss because since the outbreak started no payment has been made for any treatment as patients now claim that because of the Ebola, government has made free treatment for all of them no matter their ailment.

This he said has however greatly reduced the capacity of the hospital to administer generally to the people.

The Manager of the Nixon Memorial Hospital, John Saffa told our reporter recently in Segbwema that the absence of students in the hospital had created panic among community members and the entire Eastern Province. He said 80% of the job is being done by students as part of their practicals and since they all went abandoned post, everything has come to a standstill. According to him there were only 8 patients in the entire hospital owning to the absence of the students. “The staff is just there to support but the students do the bulk of the job” he stated.

The Manager said they were earlier asked by the Nurses Board to close the Nixon Memorial Hospital.

Though they were reluctant, the local authorities later came in and compelled them to do so.

The Councilor for Ward 24 Amos Kai said the closure of Nixon Memorial has brought some doubt among the people of Kailahun and Segbwema in particular. He said Nixon was a major referral and teaching hospital and if a dreadful disease is now ravaging the lives of people in that area the best they could have been done was to train the student nurses well in order to properly handle the containment of the outbreak rather than taking leave.

He used this medium to appeal to the Government of Sierra Leone to intervene immediate by ensuring that Nursing Students of Nixon Memorial go back to work and be recruited for awareness raising and well trained to combat the Ebola outbreak. He disclosed that nurses fight diseases as soldiers fight wars but if they withdraw it will adversely affect the people they are suppose to protect and such a situation will cause panic.

In his contribution, the Medical Superintendent of the Nixon Hospital Dr. Tamba Missa said even though they are contributing immensely to the health service delivery of Sierra Leone, but most often the District Health Management Team in Kailahun always neglect them. He disclosed that as a missionary hospital they rendered free TB services for the people but they always find it difficult to receive their drug supplies.According to him, the hospital deserves to be equipped in order to fight Ebola. http://news.sl/drwebsite/publish/article_200525732.shtml

Tuesday, July 8, 2014

Ebola scare: GIS to start screening at all entry points

 Tuesday, 8 July 2014

The Public Relations Officer of the Ghana Immigration Service, Francis Palm Deti has said new arrangements have been put in place at major entry points to screen foreigners visiting the country.

He said at the Elubo border, personnel of the Ports Health Authority (PHA) have started carrying out initial screening of passengers onboard buses before they enter the country.

According to him, it is a way of ensuring that possible carriers of the deadly Ebola virus which allegedly killed an American Monday afternoon at the Nyaho Clinic are identified and immediately handled properly.


Meanwhile, as a result of the American’s death, Ghana’s Health Ministry met with stakeholders Tuesday to strategize on how to contain the deadly Ebola virus, should it break out in the country.

The man arrived from Guinea on Sunday and reported at the infirmary for medical attention.

Mr Deti said there were no visible quarantine zones available yet to keep suspected carriers of the virus but assured the PHA would have such a facility somewhere around the entry point to serve as a useful hub to detain persons who have all kinds of ailments.

He said prohibited immigrants who refused to submit to medical screening when needed would be put back on the flight refused entry into Ghana.


Initial tests run on the American at the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research (NMIMR), according to hospital sources, was inconclusive because the officials used the wrong reagent (chemical).

Hospital sources told Joy News “the test should have taken Noguchi not more than five hours.”

The final results of his blood samples are yet to be made public. Myjoyonline.com also learnt that the samples were likely to be flown to Atlanta in the United States for further testing.

There have been some 467 deaths out of 759 cases reported in Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia as at June 30, this year.

The Public Relations Officer of the Health Ministry, Tony Goodman earlier told Myjoyonline.com that the Ministry had requested for some reagents from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology to help the investigations.


Chairman of the Health Committee in Parliament, Joseph Yileh Chireh hopes to see a stronger collaboration among the agencies to prevent an outbreak of the disease. http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/artikel.php?ID=316045

Airports to screen for virus ahead of Haj


Airports to screen for virus ahead of Haj

Passengers flying in from the Middle East and West Africa will be screened for Mers-Cov and Ebola virus at all Indian airports from September. The move comes after WHO advised all countries to step up surveillance of respiratory illnesses and monitor unusual patterns.

The government plan to start stepping up screening procedures at airports and hospitals comes ahead of the Haj season, which is likely to see around 1,36,000 Indians visit Saudi Arabia and return. The Haj season this year is between October 1 and 6.

"We have requested airport authorities to start informing us when Haj pilgrims start returning to the country," said deputy director of public health A Somasundaram. "But we intend to start screening all passengers returning from Saudi Arabia at least a month earlier," he added. A team from the state's public health department will be posted at all the international airports in the state from September. "All the state governments in other states will also be doing the same in their respective international airports," he said.

While passengers from Saudi Arabia will be screened for Mers-Cov (Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus), all passengers from Sierra Leone and Guinea will be screened for Ebola virus.

Though no case of Mers-Cov or Ebola has been reported in India, Mers cases were seen in the United States in May this year. "All the cases in the US had a history of travel to Saudi Arabia. Some had worked in hospitals that treated patients with this condition," said the World Health Organization website.

Mers-Cov was first seen in 2012. Transmitted through air, it presents itself through cough and fever, and shortness of breath. It causes a condition called atypical pneumonia. WHO has recorded 701 cases and 249 deaths worldwide.

Ebola is a disease caused by a virus by that name. Symptoms start two to three weeks after contracting the virus. It begins with fever, muscle pain and headache, and slowly adds diarrhea and nausea.

The state's public health department met on Monday to review the control of epidemics. "WHO has issued a red alert of three viruses—dengue, Mers-Cov and Ebola. Since all these viruses spread easily, we will initiate measures for detection, quarantine and treatment," said a public health department official.

Last year, the fear of the contracting Mers discouraged thousands of Indians from taking the holy pilgrimage. "The numbers dropped from 1.74 lakh pilgrims in 2012 to 1.25 lakh in 2013, because of the scare," said a Haj committee official. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/chennai/Airports-to-screen-for-virus-ahead-of-Haj/articleshow/38036377.cms

Ghanaian Ministry of Health in crisis meeting with its partners on the issue.

- Accra, July 8, 2014 © koaci.com-The American who is suspected of carrying the virus Ebola Ebola Search and was quarantined Nyaho Clinic in Accra Accra Search for a medical test has died.
According to preliminary information, the American whose name has not been revealed since Sunday since his admission to the clinic clinical Nyaho Search Nyaho died last Monday afternoon when he was under surveillance.
In view of the latest development when the final result of the test to enable whether it is suffering from fever Ebola Ebola Search or not, the Ghanaian Ministry of Health in crisis meeting with its partners on the issue.
Initial tests on the patient by the research center Nugochi Memorial Research Institute gave negative results should be confirmed.
But after the death Search death of the concerned health authorities are a little embarrassed about the real causes harm suffered by the American.
It should be remembered that the patient visited Guinea and Sierra Leone, two West African countries where Ebola occurs.  http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=auto&tl=en&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.koaci.com%2Fghana-deces-presume-patient-ebola-accra-93025.html

Fifty new Ebola cases and 25 deaths in West Africa - WHO

Tue Jul 8, 2014 2:14pm GMT
 

  
GENEVA, July 8 (Reuters) - Fifty new cases of Ebola and 25 deaths have been reported in Sierra Leone, Liberia and Guinea since July 3,as the deadly virus continues to spread, the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Tuesday.
In a statement, the United Nations agency said that the latest figures from health ministries in the three countries showed a total of 844 cases including 518 deaths in the epidemic that began in February.
Guinea's ministry reported two deaths since July 3, but no new cases in the past week, the WHO said, calling the situation in the affected region of West Africa a "mixed picture". (Reporting by Stephanie Nebehay; Editing by Louise Ireland) http://af.reuters.com/article/liberiaNews/idAFL6N0PJ3H820140708

Good News in Ebola Fight: At least Five have ‘Successfully Recovered’

...Meanwhile, the Health Ministry has said that at least 41 persons have now been confirmed killed by the virus since the outbreak was reported in Liberia on March 22. However, the Ministry also said that 46 other deaths, have reported to be in the “probable” and “suspected” cases; this brings the total number of deaths to 87 in the “confirmed, probable and suspected” category.
Of the number of deaths in all the cases, 47 are reported to have taken place in Lofa, five in Margibi and 35 in Montserrado. Among these deaths are 11 health workers.
The Ministry further said it has so far confirmed 63 nationally to have contracted the virus and additional 38 and 30 fall within the probable and suspected cases, making it 131 cases in all the cases, including “probable, confirmed and suspected.” http://www.liberianobserver.com/news/good-news-ebola-fight-least-five-have-%E2%80%98successfully-recovered%E2%80%99
Dr. Jill Biden, wife of the Vice President of the United States of America, Joe Biden has arrived in Freetown on a-two day working visit. The visit of Dr. Biden to Sierra Leone accompanied by Catherine Russel, US Ambassador at-large for Global Women’s Issues marks the end of a-three country tour of Africa following visits[...]
http://awoko.org/2014/07/07/sierra-leone-news-salone-welcomes-us-vice-presidents-wife/

Nyaho Clinic suspected Ebola virus patient dies

Source: Ghana|Myjoyonline.com|Nathaniel Yankson
Date: 08-07-2014 Time: 12:07:38:pm
An Ebola virus patient being carried on a stretcher
The American who was suspected to be carrying the Ebola virus at the Nyaho Clinic in Accra is reported dead after blood testing on him revealed signs of the disease were glaring.
The said American, name withheld, died yesterday afternoon while under surveillance at the infirmary.
He arrived from Guinea on Sunday and reported at the clinic for medical attention.
As a result, Ghana’s Health Ministry is currently having a crunch meeting with stakeholders on the matter.
The said meeting is supposed to strategize on how to contain the deadly Ebola virus, should it break out in the country.
There have been some 467 deaths of 759 cases reported in Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia by the close of June 30, this year.
The initial tests run on the American, now deceased, according to the source, was inconclusive because the officials used the wrong reagent.
The sources, who are medical practitioners, told Joy News “the test should have taken Noguchi not more than five hours.”
But Myjoyonline.com learnt from the Public Relations Officer of the Health Ministry, Tony Goodman that his outfit had requested for some reagents from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology to further help with the investigations.
Signals are that the blood samples could also be flown to Atlanta in the United States for further testing.
Early on, Head of Disease Surveillance at the Ghana Health Service, Dr. Badu Sarkodie told Joy News more work would be done later today on the sample before a substantive conclusion could be determined. http://www.myjoyonline.com/news/2014/July-8th/nyaho-clinic-suspected-ebola-virus-patient-dies.php

Inside the 'chilling' clinic treating the biggest outbreak of Ebola ever recorded

Mon 7 Jul 2014

Inside the 'chilling' clinic treating the biggest outbreak of Ebola ever recorded

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Our first glimpse of the Medecins Sans Frontieres clinic in Conakry is chilling.
Doctors in yellow and white bio-hazard suits move slowly around a temporary complex of tents and outbuildings like extras in a science fiction film.
Only their eyes are visible behind clear plastic eye guards. Extreme vigilance is needed when dealing with one of the worst most virulent diseases.
And we're here to report on the biggest outbreak of Ebola ever recorded, that's now spread to Guinea's sprawling capital Conakry, a city of two million people.
Extreme vigilance has been required to deal with the deadly outbreak. Credit: ITV News
As you walk into the clinic in the grounds of the main hospital, you can’t get past the security guards without washing your hands and the soles of your shoes in a bleach solution. No-one goes in or out without it.
Inside, there's another level of security altogether: a preparation tent where doctors and nurses gear up to enter the high risk zone.
Carefully they put on Wellington boots, a plastic all-in-one suit, a rubber apron, a plastic hood, plastic goggles and 2 pairs of rubber gloves - no part of the face or body is exposed - because just one drop of bodily fluid from an infected patient could pass on the virus.
People entering the clinic have to wash their hands and soles of their shoes in a bleach solution before entering. Credit: ITV News
This Ebola outbreak in West Africa began here in Guinea in March. It soon spread to neighbouring Sierra Leone and on to Liberia and is now confirmed as the worst outbreak ever.
More than 750 cases have been reported and more than 445 deaths.
The symptoms can be horrific, they begin with fever and diarrhoea - but victims can bleed externally and internally.
Shoes are seen in the clinic. Credit: ITV News
When the doctors enter the high-risk zone, they only spend about an hour within it. The plastic suits are too hot for anything more and in the month of Ramadan when many aren’t eating all day long - the risk of overheating themselves is high. One doctor recorded a temperature in the suit of 46 degrees centigrade.
Doctors are only allowed to spend an hour within the high-risk zone. Credit: ITV News
We watch Monia Sayah, a French Nurse with MSF working quickly inside, then, when her time is up, she comes through an exit tent, where she is sprayed with chlorine.
She washes her hands in chlorine in between removing each separate part of her security suit. No risks are taken. Only the goggles and the apron are not incinerated, instead they are plunged into chlorine to kill any trace of the deadly virus. She finally steps out, soaked in bleach and sweat. She tells me how harrowing it can be inside.
A nurse describes the 'harrowing' scenes she has witnessed. Credit: ITV News
The patients with Ebola are totally isolated, so she does what she can to comfort them. She touches them through the plastic to give them some human contact, even though they can’t see her face.
This clinic has seen Ebola victims of all ages. Even a seven-month-old baby. He didn't have the strength to fight the deadly disease.
The clinic has seen victims of all ages. Credit: ITV News
One of the patients is a woman called Mbalya. She is a traditional healer and caught the virus treating others. She is old and frail, but is fighting it.
We talk for a while across at a distance of two metres, separated by a flimsy plastic fence. The virus is not airborne but it's disconcerting that the doctors in the other side of the fence are fully suited and I am not.
Dan Rivers has travelled to report on the biggest ever outbreak of Ebola ever recorded. Credit: ITV News
Mbalya then insists on giving a message to others urging anyone with the symptoms to get medical help immediately.
Initially Ebola patients can appear to have Malaria. Victims suffer a fever, headaches and muscle aches. But after a few days the virus can result in haemorrhaging from their eyes, ears and genitals. By then it's often too late to save them.
This is a virus that wastes no time. Symptoms can be sudden and deterioration can be fast. The chances of survival are far greater if help is sought immediately. If not then the chance of dying can be 90%.
But the clinic in Conakry is prepared for that. On one side - are the patients. On the other is the morgue. http://www.itv.com/news/2014-07-07/inside-the-chilling-clinic-treating-the-biggest-outbreak-of-ebola-ever-recorded/

US citizen suspected to carry #Ebola in Ghana died

  1. US citizen suspected to carry in died. Blood was send in USA to be tested. Sources say the first test was wrong.
  2. Health authorities promise further test in the as initial test may have been inconclusive.

Dr. Jill Biden Arrives in Sierra Leone



Dr. Jill Biden Arrives in Sierra Leone


WASHINGTON, July 8, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Dr. Jill Biden has arrived in Freetown, Sierra Leone, her final stop on a three-country visit to Africa.


In Sierra Leone, Dr. Biden will highlight how her trip to Africa has focused on the importance of girls’ education and women’s participation in government, the economy, and civil society in accelerating economic development, improving health and educational outcomes, strengthening democratic governance, and fostering peace and security.


On Sunday, Dr. Biden will attend a reception hosted by Second Lady Khadija Sam Sumana as part of Sierra Leone’s recognition of the significance of this visit.


On Monday, Dr. Biden will meet with President Ernest Bai Koroma at the State House to discuss women’s empowerment; Sierra Leone’s participation in the Equal Futures Partnership and its efforts to promote women’s political and economic empowerment; the country’s work to crack down on corruption; and a range of other issues facing Sierra Leone today. Upon arrival at the State House, Dr. Biden will observe a female quarter guard ceremony and then walk with President Koroma to the Cotton Tree, a historic national landmark and enduring image of Freetown.


Later, Dr. Biden will visit St. Joseph’s Secondary School where she will deliver remarks on the empowerment of women and girls through education and highlight important moments from her three-country tour of Africa.


Afterwards, Dr. Biden will travel to the U.S. Embassy to meet with staff and families. While at the Embassy, she will meet with human trafficking survivors to discuss how local organizations and government officials are working to prevent trafficking and provide assistance to survivors.


Dr. Biden will then depart Sierra Leone en route Washington, DC.


SOURCE

US Department of State
http://appablog.wordpress.com/2014/07/08/dr-jill-biden-arrives-in-sierra-leone/

Ebola: Sierra Leoneans asked to forgo handshakes

By KEMO CHAM in Freetown | Monday, July 7  2014 at  10:18

A picture taken on June 28, 2014 shows a member of Doctors Without Borders (MSF) putting on protective gear at the isolation ward of the Donka Hospital in Conakry, where people infected with the Ebola virus are being treated. PHOTO | FILE 
Sierra Leone Information and Communication Minister Alhaji Alpha Kanu has asked citizens to give handshakes a none-month break in light of the Ebola epidemic.
He compared the Ebola epidemic to the country’s 11-year civil war and said radical behavioural change was necessary to contain it.
"This is like the rebel war. The only difference is you don't see the enemy. This is an invincible enemy," Mr Kanu said.
"It is not rude not to extend your hand. Let us leave it for a while. The Chinese and Japanese don't do it," he offered.
The Ebola outbreak which began in Guinea is also pre-occupying the authorities in Liberia. The disease is transmitted through contact with infected people and through bodily fluids.
As of Saturday, the death in Sierra Leone had gone up to 73, with a total of 254 laboratory cases confirmed.
Amidst the worsening of the situation and warnings by the World Health Organization (WHO) of worse to come, West African governments appear in dilemma as to best approach.
The government’s increasingly radical approach has been raising some eyebrows.
Both Liberia and Sierra Leone have criminalised sheltering of patients who refuse to seek medical treatment.
Proper hygiene
Last week, a 55-year-old Sierra Leonean in the eastern Kenema District became the first victim of the new law.
He was convicted of a "disorderly manner" for obstructing a medical official, the daily Awoko newspaper reported.
He was sentenced for one month in jail with an option of a fine.
Action Aid’s country director called the criminalisation approach heavy-handed and urged more sensitisation instead.
The government is however opposed to calls for closure of borders.
Sierra Leoneans hold the neighbouring countries, particularly Guinea, responsible for letting the virus cross into their territory.
The government believes closure of the borders will be an exercise in futility.
Mr Kanu said all the cases which have come into the country came in through unofficial crossing points and closure will only force people to take to these illegal routes.
The only way out, he insisted, was practising proper hygiene.
The government has resisted calls to declare the outbreak a national emergency, which would force it to divert resources from other pressing matters to the anti-Ebola effort. http://www.africareview.com/News/Sierra-Leoneans-asked-to-forgo-handshakes/-/979180/2374722/-/g8ux8tz/-/index.html

Ebola: 307 deaths in Guinea dated 7 July

Say that there has to be a resurgence of Ebola virus in Guinea, is outside of science fiction. To believe, the latest figures supplied by the health authorities, aided by their partners WHO and MSF, to date, epidemic has killed 307 people, reflecting an evolution of the count macabre due to this disease.

Hence the urgency of a concerted strategy between Guinea and other countries in the West African sub-region. At the meeting in Accra crisis recently, scholars have said that the countries of the region need to mobilize immediate € 10 million to combat the spread of the epidemic.
As of July 7, 2014, therefore, according to the latest health bulletin of the Guinean Ministry of Health and Public Health, in collaboration with WHO and MSF, Guinea has recorded 408 cases of Ebola haemorrhagic fever, for 307 deaths.
These cases are distributed as follows:
294 confirmed cases and 195 deaths case;
Probable cases: 96 cases and 96;
Suspected cases: 18 cases and 16 deaths.
It should be noted at the same time, it has been recorded cured in 84 treatment centers.
Aboubakri http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=auto&tl=en&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.mosaiqueguinee.com%2Findex.php%2Factu%2Fpolitique%2F2068-ebola-307-deces-en-guinee-a-la-date-du-07-juillet

Suspected Ebola Virus case at Nyaho Clinic tests 'tentatively negative'

Source: Ghana|Myjoyonline.com
Date: 08-07-2014 Time: 06:07:26:am
A suspected case of Ebola disease detected at the Nyaho Medical Centre in Accra on Sunday has tested "tentatively negative", according to the Ghana Health Service.
Head of Disease Surveillance at the Ghana Health Service, Dr. Badu Sarkodie, told Joy News more work would be done Tuesday before a substantive conclusion would be announced.
"What it means is that whatever they [scientists who tested blood samples of the suspect victims] have done is not complete and there is the need for follow up tests", said Dr Badu Sarkodie.
Four staff members of Nyaho Medical Centre have since been quarantined after they came into contact with an American citizen suspected to be carrying the deadly virus.
Blood samples of the suspected victim were subsequently taken for test at the Nugouchi Memorial Institute of Medical Research, which has given its preliminary report as negative.
Following the suspected case at the Nyaho clinic, the University of Ghana Medical Centre cautioned the general public  against eating and getting close to animals found dead in rain forests as they may carry the Ebola virus....  http://www.myjoyonline.com/news/2014/July-8th/suspected-ebola-virus-case-at-nyaho-clinic-tests-tentatively-negative.php

Monday, July 7, 2014

Cape Mount Records First Suspected Ebola Case

hattip Pathfinder

By D. Ignatius Roberts, LINA Grand Cape Mount County Correspondent

ROBERTSPORT, July 6 (LINA) - The first suspected case of the deadly Ebola disease has been recorded at the St. Timothy Government Hospital in Robertsport, Grand Cape Mount County.
...
Dr. Keita said following the submission of the testing result, it will be established whether the patient is an Ebola patient or not.

He said the patient is still undergoing treatment at the hospital.

Meanwhile, Grand Cape Mount County Assistant Superintendent for Development, Tenneh Simpson Kpedebah, is calling on the Ministry of Health to provide protective materials for health workers to prevent them from contracting the Ebola virus.
...
http://www.liberianewsagency.org/pagesnews.php?nid=1748

Sierra Leone News: Bo people should not be doubtful about Ebola-BDC Chair

The Bo District Chairman, has appealed to the people of Bo not to have any doubts whatsoever about the existence and reality of the Ebola virus in the country.
Joseph Munda Rogers made his remarks in his capacity as chairman of an awareness-raising march pass on Thursday, 3rd July organized by the eleven Members of Parliament representing the district.
He said most of what he hears from members of public relating to the Ebola virus, are indicative of the “wrong perceptions” many people have about the virus in Bo and the entire country. He called on the people to appreciate whatever they are told about the Ebola virus, while he stressed the deadliness of the virus on its victims.
“Don’t be Doubting Thomases on Ebola. The disease is in Sierra Leone and it is becoming “a plaque”,” he stressed in the Mende lingua franca.
He therefore applauded the awareness-raising move by the team of Parliamentarians representing constituencies in the Bo district as “a proof of the existence of the virus” and a move to raise the awareness level of the people in order to guide and guard against infection.

The march pass which attracted students and youth organizations passed through major thoroughfares in Bo city. The marchers displayed banners and placards with inscriptions highlighting the existence of Ebola and guiding against infection. The marchers who had assembled at three meeting points in Bo later converged at the Coronation Field where speeches were made.
Member of Parliament for Constituency 67 in the Bo City, Hon. Swaliho Koroma in his brief speech told the people that he and his colleagues believe that Ebola is real and that it is in the country. He expressed delight that so far, the “evil hands of the virus” have not been stretched to the districts. He called for general precautions to avoid contraction of the virus.

He said those with wrong perceptions about the virus could cause more harm than good to the general population if they continue propagating their doubtful thoughts about the existence of the virus. “Such skepticism could be dangerous for the health and safeguard of many people in the future,” Hon. Koroma maintained.
He said they are in the district as a team to confirm the existence of the virus in the country and to educate the people on how to prevent contracting the virus.

Representing Constituency 075, Hon. Kuyembeh stated that Ebola since its entry into the country has killed more people in their region and prayed that it does not any toll on Bo district.
The Bo District Medical Officer, Dr. Alhaji Salieu Turay gave a lengthy appraisal of the virus and how it attacks its victims. He informed the eager crowd however that despite the fatal state of the virus, “it can be cured”, but emphasized that this can only be achieved when the sickness is detected earlier. The sickness he explained to the people has stages 1, 2 and 3.
He informed that it is only in Kenema that a well-equipped laboratory exists to diagnose and analyze the Ebola virus. He cautioned the people to avoid those things that can cause contraction of the virus and encouraged them to report symptoms earlier to the hospital.
By Jenkins Bawoh
Monday July 07, 2014 http://awoko.org/2014/07/07/sierra-leone-news-bo-people-should-not-be-doubtful-about-ebola-bdc-chair/

U.S. citizen in Ghana tests negative for Ebola

ACCRA Mon Jul 7, 2014 6:15pm EDT

(Reuters) - A U.S. citizen suspected of having Ebola because he fell ill after visiting West African states battling the disease has tested negative, a senior Ministry of Health official told Reuters on Monday.
The man, who has not being named, is in quarantine at Nyaho clinic in Accra and the blood tests were conducted at Noguchi Memorial Institute of Medical Research in the city.
"It is negative," Badu Sarkodie, head of disease surveillance at the Ghana Health Service, told Reuters, adding that further tests would be conducted.
Health officials have called for regional action to halt the world's deadliest outbreak of the disease, which has spread across Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone, killing at least 467 people since February.
The highly contagious Ebola virus causes fever, vomiting, bleeding and diarrhoea and kills up to 90 percent of those it infects. It is transmitted through contact with blood or other fluids.
A previous suspected Ebola case in Ghana also tested negative in April. link.reuters.com/fyj32w
http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/07/07/us-health-ebola-ghana-idUSKBN0FC0ZF20140707

Reported Case of Ebola Not Confirmed Yet - MoH

Jul 07, 2014 at 3:13pm
The Ministry of Health has denied that there is an Ebola case at a private clinic in Accra.

In a statement, the P.R. O of the Ministry, Tony Goodman said, the suspected fever case recorded at the facility has not been confirmed as Ebola.

According to him, the sample has been sent to the Noguchi Memorial Research Centre for examination and the result is expected to be out by close of today.

In the meantime, Mr. Goodman said, precautionary measures have been taken to ensure that it does not spread if it turns out to be true http://www.gbcghana.com/1.1775592

Nyaho fever case not yet proven to be Ebola – Health Ministry

 Monday, 7 July 2014

The Ministry of Health says the Noguchi Memorial Research Centre has not confirmed the suspected fever case recorded at the Nyaho Clinic yet.

It says it has put in place every precautionary measure at that clinic, including additional support of Public Health staff from the Ministry, “to quarantine patient and clinical staff [and] supply of protective gowns for staff of that hospital.”

The Ministry says it has also directed that the case should remain at that clinic and re-treated until otherwise, while “we wait for the laboratory result from the Noguchi Memorial Research Centre.”

A statement signed by the Ministry’s Public Relations Officer, Tony Goodman said: “We expect the general public to remain calm as we wait for the result from the blood sample taken for test.”

“We will like to assure the general public that we have everything under control,” it added. http://www.ghanaweb.com/GhanaHomePage/NewsArchive/artikel.php?ID=315868