Western African Ebola epidemic
| File:2014 Guinea ebola outbreak.pdf Situation map of the outbreak as of 28 March 2014 | |
| Date | February 2014 – Ongoing |
|---|---|
| Location | West Africa (Guinea, Liberia, Sierra Leone) |
| Casualties | |
 Guinea – 129 cases, 84 deaths[1] Liberia – 6 cases, 5 deaths Sierra Leone – 8 cases, 6 deaths | |
95 deaths / 143 cases (66%) | |
An ongoing Ebola epidemic has spread throughout Guinea and beyond the national borders. At least 136 infections and 89 deaths have been reported.[2] Various organizations, including the European Commission and Economic Community of West African States have donated funds to help counter the outbreak.
Initial outbreak in Guinea
In February 2014, the first Ebola virus outbreak registered in the region occurred in Guinea. As of 2 April, the total number of suspected and confirmed cases in the Ebola Haemorrhagic Fever (EHF) outbreak has increased to 136, including 89 deaths at a case fatality rate of 65%.[3] Suspected cases were reported in Conakry (four cases), Guéckédougou (four), Macenta (one) and Dabola (one) prefectures. The most recent suspected case was admitted to hospital on 28 March.[4] The outbreak spread to Guinea's capital Conakry, a city of about two million inhabitants, and is a major concern according to Ibrahima Touré, Country Director of Plan Guinea NGO: "The poor living conditions and lack of water and sanitation in most districts of Conakry pose a serious risk that the epidemic escalates into a crisis. People do not think to wash their hands when they do not have enough water to drink."[5]
Subsequent spread
Sierra Leone identified two suspected cases, both of whom died. All of the confirmed and suspected cases reported by Liberia and Sierra Leone had travelled to Guinea before the onset of illness. Investigations into these suspected cases are on-going. The Ministry of Health of Liberia has provided updated details on the suspected and confirmed cases of EHF in Liberia. As of 29 March, two of those cases have tested positive for the virus and there have been two deaths among the suspected cases.[6]
Response
The national authorities of Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia have activated their national emergency committees, prepared EHF response plans and carried out needs assessments.[4] The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) issued a statement that called for the support of the international community in the fight against the epidemic: "The Board of Mediation and Security of ECOWAS appeals to the international community to provide support in the management of the Ebola epidemic in the region."[7] On 30 March, during the 44th Summit of the heads of state and government of west Africa, ECOWAS disbursed US$250,000 to deal with the outbreak.[8] Sierra Leone has instituted a temporary measure which includes reactivation of its 'Active Surveillance Protocol' that will see all travellers into the country from either Guinea or Liberia subjected to strict screening to ascertain their state of health.[9]
Senegal’s Ministry of Interior has ordered all movements of people through the southern border with Guinea to be suspended indefinitely to prevent the spread of the disease, according to a statement published on 29 March by state agency APS.[10] Since 26 March, Mauritania closed all crossings along the Senegal River, the natural border between Mauritania and Senegal, except for the Rosso and Diama points of entry. From 1 April, Saudi Arabia stopped issuing visas for the Muslim pilgrimage to Mecca to those from Guinea and Liberia. Moreover, Morocco reinforced medical surveillance at the Casablanca airport, a regional hub for flights from and to West Africa.[11][12][13]
The European Commission (EC) is giving €500,000 to help contain the spread of the virus in Guinea and its neighbouring countries. The EC has also sent a health expert to Guinea to help assess the situation and liaise with the local authorities. EU Commissioner for International Cooperation, Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Response Kristalina Georgieva said: "We are deeply concerned about the spread of this virulent disease and our support will help ensure immediate health assistance to those affected by it. It's vital that we act swiftly to prevent the outbreak from spreading, particularly to neighbouring countries.[14]
See also
References
- ^ At least 84 killed in Guinea’s Ebola epidemic (Utah People's Post, April 2, 2014)
- ^ "1 April 2014: Guinea/Liberia – Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) Outbreak". ReliefWeb. 1 April 2014. Retrieved 1 April 2014.
- ^ "Ebola outbreak in Guinea 'unprecedented' – MSF". BBC News. 31 March 2014. Retrieved 31 March 2014.
- ^ a b "Ebola Haemorrhagic Fever, Guinea (Situation as of 30 March 2014)". Afro.who.int. Retrieved 31 March 2014.
- ^ Diallo, Boubacar (29 March 2014). "Ebola in Guinea: the NGO Plan Guinea-feared a worsening of the epidemic ..." Africaguinee.com. Retrieved 31 March 2014.
- ^ "Ebola Haemorrhagic Fever, Liberia (Situation as of 30 March 2014)". Afro.who.int. Retrieved 31 March 2014.
- ^ "The West Africa requires the support of the international community in the fight against Ebola". abidjan.net. 28 March 2014. Retrieved 31 March 2014.
- ^ "La CEDEAO décaisse 250 000 dollars pour faire face à la fièvre Ebola" (in French). abidjan.net. 30 March 2014. Retrieved 31 March 2014.
- ^ Cham, Kemo (1 April 2014). "Sierra Leone restricts movement across borders over Ebola fears". Africa Review. Retrieved 1 April 2014.
- ^ "Ebola Death Toll in Guinea Rises to 70 as Senegal Closes Border". Bloomberg News. 29 March 2014. Retrieved 31 March 2014.
- ^ "Fièvre Ebola : contrôle sanitaire renforcé au Maroc" (in French). Nouvelobs. 1 April 2014. Retrieved 1 April 2014.
- ^ "Visas refusés aux pèlerins de Guinée et du Libéria" (in French). 20min.ch. 1 April 2014. Retrieved 1 April 2014.
- ^ Ndiaye Moctar, Pape (29 March 2014). "The uncrossable river Senegal since last Tuesday". Sud Quotidien. Retrieved 31 March 2014.
- ^ "Ebola in West Africa: European Union joins effort to stop spread of disease and releases €500,000 in immediate funding". Europa.eu. 19 November 2013. Retrieved 31 March 2014.