AFRICA/GUINEA - Some 16 months since the epidemic outbreak, Ebola still not under control

Thursday, 23 July 2015

Conakry (Agenzia Fides) – New cases of Ebola reported in Liberia and Guinea are spreading the fear that the virus could cross the border into Guinea-Bissau. A warning has been issued by the international chairman of Doctors Without Frontiers (MSF). The most serious ever epidemic of the virus, started more than 16 months ago in March 2014. Despite progress in action to stem the infection, the virus is still present in Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia, with reportedly 27,678 persons infected and 11,276 deaths. In Guinea the virus’ transmission chain is still active in Conakry, Boké and Forecariah. In the past 8 weeks the number of new cases in the entire region has remained stable at 30 a month. “We continue to have between 8 and 12 new cases a week” we read in a report sent to Fides by the appointed local emergency chief. In Conakry, activity work continues throughout the city to spread awareness and also to counter non verified information, fear and exhaustion among the people. MSF is working in a new centre at Nongo, where patients are able to receive plasma donated by persons who have recovered from Ebola. To meet a recent Ebola outbreak in Boké, north Guinea, MSF opened a new centre for Ebola treatment on 3 July. (AP) (23/7/2015 Agenzia Fides)


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