Jump to content

Ebola virus epidemic in Liberia

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by BrianGroen (talk | contribs) at 10:21, 18 October 2014 (move info box inline safe space). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

The West African nation of Liberia is currently afflicted by an epidemic of Ebola virus disease (EVD), along with the neighbouring countries of Guinea and Sierra Leone. The disease was discovered in late March 2014.[1] Ebola is a biosafety level four pathogen, an RNA virus first discovered in 1976.[2]

Before the Ebola epidemic, Liberia had 50 doctors for its population of 4.3 million, weakened from a civil war that ended in 2003.[3]

Articles related to the
Western African
Ebola virus epidemic
Overview
Nations with widespread cases
Other affected nations
Other outbreaks

Ebola's spread

New cases from 2 July 2014 to 20 August 2014 in Liberia
The reported weekly cases of Ebola in Liberia as listed on Wikipedia Ebola virus epidemic in West Africa; some values are interpolated.

September

As of 29 September 2014, there were 3458 cases reported, 1830 total deaths, and 914 lab confirmed cases.[4] For comparison, Lassa fever is estimated to kill about 5000 people a year in West Africa,[5] and in Western countries, medical mistakes kill between 44,000 to 400,000 people a year.[6]

On 25 September Liberia's chief medical official went on a self-enforced quarantine after she was potentially exposed to the Ebola virus.[7] By the 29th of September 2014, it was announced she tested negative for Ebola, but government officials praised her for following the self quarantine rules.[8]

In late September 2014 Ivory Coast resumed flights to Liberia which had been suspended since 11 August 2014.[9]

On 30 September 2014 it was discovered that a person in a Texas hospital had contracted Ebola in Liberia before traveling to the United States.[10] (see 2014 Ebola virus case in the United States)

October

In early October, the president continued to ask for more aid to fight against Ebola.[11] Liberia also enacted restrictions on journalistic coverage.[12]

In early October a U.S. television network's cameraman was diagnosed with Ebola.[13]

On 2 October 2014, a new 60-bed clinic was opened in Kenema.[14] However, the outbreak was described as being out of control and an exponential growth in cases was expected, with a focus on slowing the outbreak down.[15] One problem is that the health care establishments are overwhelmed, so even when those infected come to a hospital they are often turned away and go on to infect others.[16]

On 3 October 2014 medical supplies arrived from Germany, which cared for two evacuated Ebola cases in Germany by that date.[17] On that same day GERLIB opened up an Ebola isolation ward at its 48-bed facility in Paynesville (Monrovia).[18]

Monrovia

A map of Liberia showing the location of Monrovia, its capital

The disease has been noted to be spreading in Monrovia, the nation's capital.[19] There are about 1 million people in the city.[20]

Redemption Hospital

Redemption Hospital is a health care facility in New Kru Town somewhat west of Monrovia in Liberia.[21] It is a state-run institution that offers free health care in New Kru Town.[22]

The first deaths from Ebola in Monrovia occurred by June 17, 2014 when seven died from Ebola.[23] The dead included a nurse along with some from her household.[24] The nurse was treated at Redemption Hospital located west of Monrovia.[25] At the time there were about 16 cases reported in Liberia overall.[26]

By 2 July 2014 a doctor at the hospital, the head surgeon, died from Ebola.[27] At this time they then shut down Redemption Hospital and distributed its patients to other facilities in the area.[28] The Redemption Hospital doctor who died was being treated at the JFK Medical Center (also in Monrovia).[29]

West Point quarantine (Aug 19-30)

A view of the West Point area

On 18 August, a mob of residents from West Point, an impoverished area of Monrovia, descended upon a local Ebola clinic to protest its presence. The protesters turned violent, threatening the caretakers, removing the infected patients, and looting the clinic of its supplies, including blood-stained bed sheets and mattresses. Police and aid workers expressed fear that this would lead to mass infections of Ebola in West Point.[30][31]

On 19 August, the Liberian government quarantined the entirety of West Point and issued a curfew state-wide.[32][33] Violence again broke out on 22 August after the military fired on protesting crowds.[34] The quarantine blockade of the West Point area was lifted on 30 August. The Information Minister, Lewis Brown, said that this step was taken to ease efforts to screen, test, and treat residents.[35]

Treatment

By late September there were three clinics in Monrovia, but it was an increasingly common occurrence to have patients waiting and even passing away outside because the clinics had run out of space.[36] If patients cannot get a bed in the clinic they sometimes wait in holding centers until a bed opens up.[37]

There are additional cases in Monrovia where the bodies are dumped into the river.[38] City inhabitants have tried to spread knowledge about Ebola, especially the importance of not touching those that are sick or dead from Ebola.[39] (This is the first outbreak in Liberia.) Sanitation is a struggle in some parts of the city, with estimates that there are four public toilets in West Point, Monrovia.[40] The beach surrounding West Point is often used as a lavatory, but it is also a source for drinking water, and the fish from the water are taken for food.[40]

One woman used trash bags to protect herself as she cared for four other family members ill with Ebola.[41] Her father became ill in late July 2014, but they could not find a place of treatment for him and ended up doing home-care.[42]

Island Clinic

On 20 September, Liberia opened a new 150-bed treatment unit clinic in Monrovia. At the opening ceremony of the Old Island Clinic on Bushrod Island six ambulances were already waiting with potential patients. More patients were waiting by the clinic after making their way on foot with the help of relatives.[43] Two days later 112 beds were already filled with 46 patients testing positive for Ebola, while the rest were admitted for observation.[44] This expanded the number of beds in the city beyond 240.[45] 100 construction workers worked multiple shift for three weeks to get the clinic open, but its capacity was exceeded in 24 hours.[46] The term bed here is not just a bed, but implies the staff and logistics to take care of a patient with right precautions.[47]

One source says it opened on 21 September 2014 with a 100-bed capacity.[48]

One of the other clinics in Monrovia is a 160-bed facility by Doctors Without Borders.[49]

JFK is another treatment center, and could hold 35 beds but expanded to 75 because of the demand.[50]

List of counties affected by EVD

Counties with EVD cases as of 29 September 2014:[51] By early September there were cases in 14 of 15 of Liberia's counties.[52]

  • Bomi
  • Bong
  • Gbarpolu
  • Grand Bassa
  • Grand Cape Mount
  • Lofa
  • Margibi County
  • Montserrado
  • Nimba
  • River Cess
  • River Gee
  • Sinoe

Evacuations

On 5 August 2014, the Brothers Hospitallers of St. John of God confirmed that Brother Miguel Pajares had been infected. He was volunteering in Liberia. The Spanish military helped with his transfer on 6 August 2014.[53] Authorities stated he would be treated in the 'Carlos III' hospital in Madrid. This attracted controversy, amid questions as to the authorities' ability to guarantee no risk of transmission.[54] Brother Pajares died from the virus on 12 August.[55]

Kent Brantly, a physician and medical director in Liberia for the aid group Samaritan’s Purse, and co-worker Nancy Writebol were infected while working in Monrovia.[56][57][58] Both were flown to the United States at the beginning of August for further treatment.[59] On 21 August, Brantly and Writebol recovered and were discharged.[60]

A French volunteer health worker, working for MSF in Liberia, contracted EVD and was flown to France on 18 September 2014. She is being treated at a military hospital. French Health Minister Marisol Touraine stated the nurse will receive an experimental drug, favipiravir.[61] By 4 October 2014 she had recovered and was released from the hospital.[62]

After a news-network's cameraman came down with Ebola, he was evacuated to the U.S. and the rest of the crew also returned and went into quarantine.[63]

Other Works derived from the Ebola crisis

"White Ebola", a political song by Mr. Monrovia, AG Da Profit and Daddy Cool, centered on the general mistrust of foreigners.[64]

"Ebola in Town", a dance tune by a group of West African rappers, D-12, Shadow and Kuzzy Of 2 Kings warns people of the dangers of the Ebola virus and explaining how to react, became popular in Guinea and Liberia during the first quarter of 2014.[65][66] A dance was developed in which no body contact was required, a rare occurrence in African dance.[67]

Senegal rapper, Xuman, parodied Rihanna's "Umbrella" in Ebola est là (Ebola Is Here).The songs lyrics warns locals that, "The disease is among our neighbours, Liberians and Guineans." The track was a hit.[66][68]

"Ebola is Real", A hip hop tune done in collaboration with Liberian artists F.A., Soul Fresh, DenG, Adolphus Scott(A Liberian communication specialist for UNICEF) and Liberia’s Ministry of Health & Social Welfare became the most played song on Hott FM.[69][66]

A 5 minute Public service advert was carefully crafted by Adolphus Scott and others, to increase general Ebola awareness. The clip runs an estimated 5 times a day on local TV stations. [69]

“State of Emergency”, A hip hop tune by Tan Tan B and Quincy B, produced without government involvement also has high play time on air.[69][70]

In August 2014, George Weah and Ghanaian musician Sidney produced a song to raise awareness about Ebola.[68] All proceeds from the track been donated to the Liberian Health Ministry.[71]

Charles Yegba, leader of the AFROCO music group, plans to record a song and video to raise awareness about ebola across Liberia.[72]

West African Myths about Ebola.

“The Ebola outbreak was sparked by a bewitched aircraft that crashed in a remote part of Sierra Leone, casting a spell over three West African countries -- but a heavily alcoholic drink called bitter Kola can cure the virus.”[73]

“Some members of the community thought it was a bad spirit, a devil or poisoning.”[72]

At the beginning of the outbreak, many did not believe that the disease existed. “I thought it was a lie (invented) to collect money because at that moment I hadn´t seen people affected in my community.”[72]

There are concerns that the Ebola In Town song's warning "don't touch your friend" may worsen the stigma.[67]

There are a number of Ebola-themed jokes circulating in West Africa to spread awareness. [74]

See also

References

  1. ^ "2 of 5 Test Positive for Ebola in Liberia", Liberian Observer, 31 March 2014, retrieved 6 July 2014
  2. ^ statement (26 September 2014). "http://www.who.int/mediacentre/news/ebola/26-september-2014/en/". WHO. Retrieved 28 September 2014. {{cite web}}: |author= has generic name (help); External link in |title= (help)
  3. ^ "Ebola-hit Liberia on brink of societal collapse – experts". Rappler. Retrieved 1 October 2014.
  4. ^ "Ebola in Liberia - At a Glance". Retrieved 1 October 2014.
  5. ^ Ogbu O, Ajuluchukwu E, Uneke CJ (2007). "Lassa fever in West African sub-region: an overview". Journal of vector borne diseases. 44 (1): 1–11. PMID 17378212.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  6. ^ John Tozzi. "Scarier Than Ebola: Human Error". Businessweek.com. Retrieved 6 October 2014.
  7. ^ "Liberia's top medical officer is in quarantine". CNN. 27 September 2014. Retrieved 1 October 2014.
  8. ^ "Liberia's Top Medical Officer Under Self-Imposed Ebola Quarantine". allAfrica.com. Retrieved 1 October 2014.
  9. ^ "Liberia: Ivory Coast to Resume Air Traffic to Ebola-Hit Nations". allAfrica.com. Retrieved 1 October 2014.
  10. ^ "First case of Ebola diagnosed in US: health officials". Retrieved 1 October 2014.
  11. ^ "Liberia's Ellen Johnson Sirleaf says Ebola was like 'unknown enemy'". 2 October 2014. Retrieved 4 October 2014.
  12. ^ "Liberia imposes media restrictions on 'invasive' Ebola coverage". Retrieved 4 October 2014.
  13. ^ "NBC News cameraman diagnosed with Ebola in Liberia". 3 October 2014. Retrieved 4 October 2014.
  14. ^ "Counting the days following an Ebola mission to Sierra Leone". Retrieved 4 October 2014.
  15. ^ "Liberia braces for worst as Ebola death toll jumps". Business Insider. 9 September 2014. Retrieved 6 October 2014.
  16. ^ "Liberia braces for worst as Ebola death toll jumps". Business Insider. 9 September 2014. Retrieved 6 October 2014.
  17. ^ "Germany's first Ebola aid arrives in Liberia". DW.DE. Retrieved 6 October 2014.
  18. ^ "GERLIB Clinic Sets Up Ebola Isolation Center". Retrieved 6 October 2014.
  19. ^ "Aid workers fight as they go". News24. Retrieved 1 October 2014.
  20. ^ "Ebola-hit Liberia on brink of societal collapse – experts". Rappler. Retrieved 1 October 2014.
  21. ^ "Liberia: Ebola Kills Doctor At Redemption Hospital". allAfrica.com. Retrieved 6 October 2014.
  22. ^ "Why Patients Aren't Coming To Liberia's Redemption Hospital". NPR.org. 27 August 2014. Retrieved 6 October 2014.
  23. ^ "Seven die in Monrovia Ebola outbreak". BBC News. Retrieved 6 October 2014.
  24. ^ "Seven die in Monrovia Ebola outbreak". BBC News. Retrieved 6 October 2014.
  25. ^ "Seven die in Monrovia Ebola outbreak". BBC News. Retrieved 6 October 2014.
  26. ^ "Ebola Deaths Turn Redemption Hospital into Ghost Town". Retrieved 6 October 2014.
  27. ^ "Liberia: Ebola Kills Doctor At Redemption Hospital". allAfrica.com. Retrieved 6 October 2014.
  28. ^ "Liberia: Ebola Kills Doctor At Redemption Hospital". allAfrica.com. Retrieved 6 October 2014.
  29. ^ "Liberia: Ebola Kills Doctor At Redemption Hospital". allAfrica.com. Retrieved 6 October 2014.
  30. ^ "Liberian mob attacks Ebola clinic; dozens of patients missing | The Rundown | PBS NewsHour". Pbs.org. Retrieved 2014-08-23.
  31. ^ Johnathan Paye-Layleh, Associated Press (2014-08-17). "Ebola fears heightened in Liberia as clinic looted". Usatoday.com. Retrieved 2014-08-23.
  32. ^ "Liberian Soldiers Seal Slum to Halt Ebola". NBC News. 2014-08-09. Retrieved 2014-08-23.
  33. ^ By Clair MacDougall and James Harding Giahyue. "Liberia police fire on protesters as West Africa's Ebola toll hits 1,350". Reuters. Retrieved 2014-08-23.
  34. ^ "Last Ebola-free region of Liberia falls to virus". News 24. 23 August 2014. Retrieved 23 August 2014.
  35. ^ "Liberian Ebola survivor calls for quick production of experimental drug". Global News. 30 August 2014. Retrieved 30 August 2014.
  36. ^ "'I have never seen this number of bodies before': Life at an Ebola clinic in Liberia". Telegraph.co.uk. 24 September 2014. Retrieved 1 October 2014.
  37. ^ "Ebola clinics fill up as Liberia awaits aid". The Clinton Herald, Clinton, Iowa. Retrieved 1 October 2014.
  38. ^ "Ebola cases estimated to hit 1.4 million by mid-January". WJLA. Retrieved 1 October 2014.
  39. ^ "'Ebola Is Real' on Streets of Monrovia". Telegraph.co.uk. 24 September 2014. Retrieved 1 October 2014.
  40. ^ a b Africa water atlas. UNEP/Earthprint. 2010. p. 255. ISBN 978-92-807-3110-1. Retrieved 30 March 2013.
  41. ^ "Woman saves three relatives from Ebola". CNN. 25 September 2014. Retrieved 6 October 2014.
  42. ^ "Woman saves three relatives from Ebola". CNN. 25 September 2014. Retrieved 6 October 2014.
  43. ^ "Liberia: 120-Bed Ebola Treatment Center Opens in Liberia". All Africa. 22 September 2014. Retrieved 22 September 2014.
  44. ^ "Streets bustling after Sierra Leone shutdown ends". The Washington Post. 22 September 2014. Retrieved 22 September 2014.
  45. ^ "Liberia: Ebola clinic fills up within hours of opening". Retrieved 1 October 2014.
  46. ^ "Liberia: Ebola clinic fills up within hours of opening". Retrieved 1 October 2014.
  47. ^ "Liberia: Ebola clinic fills up within hours of opening". Retrieved 1 October 2014.
  48. ^ "Powering The Ebola Response: Monrovia's Island Clinic". Retrieved 1 October 2014.
  49. ^ "Beds scarce, staff scarcer, in Liberia's overrun Ebola wards". Jamaica Observer. Retrieved 1 October 2014.
  50. ^ "Liberia: JFK Ebola Unit Beyond Capacity - Patients Lying On Floor". allAfrica.com. Retrieved 1 October 2014.
  51. ^ "Ebola in Liberia". Retrieved 1 October 2014.
  52. ^ "Liberia's Ebola problem far worse than imagined, says WHO". Retrieved 1 October 2014.
  53. ^ "Ebola patient's husband feels 'the comfort of God'". CNN. Retrieved 8 August 2014.
  54. ^ "Ebola: Spanish missionary infected with virus in Liberia flown to Spain". The Guardian. 7 August 2014. Retrieved 8 August 2014.
  55. ^ "Muere el religioso español Miguel Pajares a causa del ébola". RTVE. 12 August 2014. Retrieved 12 August 2014.
  56. ^ "Two Americans Stricken With Deadly Ebola Virus in Liberia". 28 July 2014. Retrieved 2 August 2014.
  57. ^ "Ebola outbreak: U.S. missionary Nancy Writebol leaves Liberia Tuesday". 4 August 2014. Retrieved 4 August 2014.
  58. ^ "Ebola drug likely saved American patients". CNN.com. 8 August 2014. Retrieved 8 August 2014.
  59. ^ Steenhuysen, Julie. "Ebola patient coming to U.S. as aid workers' health worsens". MSN News. Retrieved 1 August 2014.
  60. ^ "American Ebola doc: 'I am thrilled to be alive'". Retrieved 21 August 2014.
  61. ^ "France's First Ebola Patient to Get Experimental Drug". The Wall Street Journal. 19 September 2014. Retrieved 20 September 2014.
  62. ^ "French nurse cured of Ebola". RFI. Retrieved 6 October 2014.
  63. ^ "NBC News's Dr. Nancy Snyderman of Princeton to Be Quarantined after Ebola Exposure". Retrieved 6 October 2014.
  64. ^ "Beats, Rhymes and Ebola". Retrieved 15 October 2014.
  65. ^ "Ebola virus causes outbreak of infectious dance tune". the Guardian. Retrieved 15 October 2014.
  66. ^ a b c "Ebola: Pop music a surprising weapon against the killer virus". 11 October 2014. Retrieved 15 October 2014.
  67. ^ a b "Ebola rap warns West Africans of virus's dangers". Telegraph.co.uk. 28 May 2014. Retrieved 15 October 2014.
  68. ^ a b "Ebola in Perspective: The role of popular music in crisis situations in West Africa". AFRICA IS A COUNTRY. Retrieved 15 October 2014.
  69. ^ a b c "How to Make a Hit Song About Ebola". The Atlantic. 25 August 2014. Retrieved 15 October 2014.
  70. ^ "If Salt-N-Pepa Told You To Brush Your Teeth, You'd Surely Listen". NPR.org. 24 August 2014. Retrieved 15 October 2014.
  71. ^ "Liberian soccer star George Weah records Ebola song". Capital Lifestyle. Retrieved 15 October 2014.
  72. ^ a b c "WHO - Spreading the word about Ebola through music". Retrieved 15 October 2014.
  73. ^ "Ebola myths: Sierra Leonean DJ tackles rumours and lies over the airwaves". the Guardian. Retrieved 15 October 2014.
  74. ^ "Tell Me the One About Ebola: How Jokes Spread Awareness". Bloomberg. 27 August 2014. Retrieved 15 October 2014.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Ebola_virus_epidemic_in_Liberia&oldid=630088983"