Link: Ebola Digest w/e Fri 2 Jan
As we ease into 2015, we'll comtinue to run these regularly for the time being - the link to the most recent edition of the regular Ebola Digest.
There's a huge amount of info in this excellent resource and we suggest you check out the source. In the meantime we've reproduced the country-specific section of their news digest below, in the hope it may be of particular interest and use to our readers. Today's article image is a snapshot of a live map of cases and deaths available here.
That link again: https://eboladigest.blogspot.co.uk/2015/01/ebola-digest-fri-1215.html
REGIONAL SURVEILLANCE
Guinea
Ebola: a new Institut Pasteur is soon to be created in Guinea
The Ebola outbreak currently sweeping across West Africa, from which the first cases have been confirmed by scientists from the Institut Pasteur, shows the need to reinforce local capacity to react against emerging infections. In response to the cooperation demand of the Guinean government, Pr. Christian Bréchot, President of the Institut Pasteur has proposed to create a Pasteur Institute in Conakry. An agreement will be signed on Friday 28th to allow the creation of that new institute and more largely define the framework of the scientific and technical cooperation between the Institut Pasteur and the government of Guinea. Pr. Bréchot will take the opportunity to visit Donka Hospital in Conakry, where the Institut Pasteur in Dakar has been setting up a diagnostic laboratory for several months.
Liberia
Liberia Ebola Daily Sitrep no. 225 for 26th December 2014
Gov't assures of quick containment of ebola in case of outbreak
Gov't assures of quick containment of ebola in case of outbreak Government has assured that the deadly Ebola virus would be quickly contained in the event of an outbreak out in the country.
Former Minister Proposes Border Closure to Contain Ebola
all africa--Former Minister Proposes Border Closure to Contain Ebola Former Lands, Mines & Energy Minister, Jonathan Mason, has proposed the closure of Liberia's borders with neighboring countries as a means of containing the deadly Ebola virus. Mr. Mason has also blasted at Liberians for being complacent and careless ;...
Senator Dargoseh Warns Citizens Against Reversing Ebola Gain
all africa--Senator Dargoseh Warns Citizens Against Reversing Ebola Gain could reverse the gains made in the Ebola fight and promote the spread of the deadly virus. Dargoseh said if people continue acts of self-satisfaction that could further spread the Ebola virus, more lives would be claimed. He made the statement at a meeting ;...
Citizens of Lofa Cautioned Against Complacency in Ebola Fight
All Africa--Citizens of Lofa Cautioned Against Complacency in Ebola Fight Lofa County Superintendent George Sekou Dunor has called on citizens of Lower and Upper Workor in Voinjama District, Lofa County not to be complacent in the fight against the deadly Ebola virus in the county. Superintendent Dunor reminded citizens of ;...
MRUYP Receives US$142k Grant for Ebola Sensitization
all africa--MRUYP Receives US$142k Grant for Ebola Sensitization The Speaker of the Mano River Union Youth Parliament (MRUYP), Melvin Saah, has disclosed that his organization is expected to receive a US$142,000.00 grant for Ebola sensitization in Gbarpolu and Sinoe Counties from December 2014 to April 2015.
Muslim Community in Zwedru Protests Over Ebola Burial Site
all africa--The clearing of a site for the burial of corpses of Ebola victims at the Zwedru Central Cemetery over the weekend sparked off serious protest with hundreds of Muslims demanding fair play.
Honoring Ebola Heroes & Heroines
all africa--BY WAY OF tradition, at the end of each year we always pay homage to individuals, institutions and groups for their invaluable services to society during the course of the year. This is usually done as a source of motivation and inspiration so that others would emulate their good examples for the advancement of the Liberian society and the improvement of governance system of the country.
Toronto doctor who fought SARS working to stop Ebola virus in Liberia
the star--Toronto doctor who fought SARS working to stop Ebola virus in Liberia Dr. Allison McGeer knows how daunting facing the outbreak of a fatal virus head on can be. She navigated Toronto's six-month SARS crisis in 2003 as both the Director of Infection Control at Mount Sinai Hospital and a consultant on infection control at ;...
Sierra Leone
Government to fund ambulance and burial teams in Sierra Leone to fight Ebola outbreak
The Government is to provide an additional 778,000 to respond to the Ebola outbreak in Sierra Leone, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Charlie Flanagan, TD, and Minister for Development, Trade Promotion and North South Co-operation, Seán Sherlock, TD, today announced. The funding will support Ebola crisis workers to manage, maintain and fuel a fleet of ambulances and burial vehicles in twelve of Sierra Leone?s fourteen districts. Approximately 5 million people across the twelve districts will benefit from the programme, which will address a need identified by Sierra Leone?s National Ebola Response Centre. A recently-deployed member of the Irish Defence Forces, who is a qualified paramedic and has experience in special operations and medical planning, has provided important technical advice on the establishment of this fleet management programme.
Spike in Sierra Leone Ebola cases "very worrying"
redcross.org.uk--A spike in Ebola cases in Kono district, Sierra Leone, has served as a warning that the outbreak is far from under control. Nearly 90 bodies have been found in the district in recent weeks. The Red Cross had already begun building an Ebola treatment centre ;...
Sierra Leone's Kailahun: from Ebola hotspot to zero infections
(Reuters) - Sierra Leone's Kailahun district has gone from Ebola hotspot with up to 80 infections per week in June to a place with zero new cases in the last three weeks, giving hope to those trying to end the deadly outbreak.
Ebola Survivors Receive Mixed Homecoming Welcome
all africa--Moses' family has been hard hit by Ebola. Four of his family were infected with the virus. His father and brother died, but Moses and his sister both survived. Moses was recently discharged from MSF's Ebola management centre in Bo, Sierra Leone and made the journey back to his home village, accompanied by MSF health promoter Esmee de Jong.
Sierra Leone's president calls for week of fasting, prayer over Ebola
Sierra Leone's president calls for week of fasting, prayer over Ebola FREETOWN: Sierra Leone President Ernest Bai Koroma asked the country to begin a week of fasting and prayers on Thursday to end the Ebola virus that has killed more than 2,700 of his countrymen. The worst outbreak on record of the virus is still spreading ;...
SITREPS
Sierra Leone: WFP West Africa Ebola Response Situation Report #19 02 January 2015
Look back at WFP?s ebola response in 2014 In March 2014 WFP began providing food to patients, suspected cases, and isolated ebola-affected villages in Guinea. As the outbreak quickly spread, similar country-specific responses were launched in July in Sierra Leone and Liberia at the request of Governments and partners. By August, WFP had provided food to over 97,000 people across the three countries. As the number of cases surged, WHO declared a health emergency and requested WFP to scale up its assistance alongside the health response. On 25 August WFP launched the regional Emergency Operation ensuring food and nutrition support to care for the infected and to contain the spread of ebola in West Africa.
SOCIOLOGICAL IMPACT
When Ebola was at its worst in west Africa a few months ago, many worried that weak governments in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone might be swept away by riots or the collapse of order as the virus took hold. In fact, the opposite appears to be the case. Governments have tightened their grip and are displaying authoritarian inclinations in ways rarely seen in the three young democracies. Sierra Leone announced on December 17th that it would conduct house-to-house searches in Freetown, the capital, to find hidden Ebola sufferers. The president, Ernest Bai Koroma, also banned all public Christmas celebrations as well as some market trading and travel between regions. Yet restrictions on movement and trading have been counter-productive. When food is in short supply, hungry and potentially infected people evade checkpoints and travel long distances to feed themselves.
Motorcyclists Undergo Training in Ebola Prevention
Motorcyclists Undergo Training in Ebola Prevention More than 50 motorcyclists in Monrovia and its environs have been trained to join government in spreading Ebola prevention messages. According to the Project Officer of the Angie Brooks International Center (ABIC), Hilary K. D. Gbegeah, motorcyclists are ;...
Grand Gedeh IMS Conducts Ebola Psycho-Social Training for Citizens
Grand Gedeh IMS Conducts Ebola Psycho-Social Training for Citizens The Incidence Management System at the Martha Tubman Memorial Hospital in Zwedru, Grand Gedeh County is conducting Ebola awareness training for community leaders and residents as the county enters nearly ninety days of being Ebola free.
ECONOMIC, SECURITY, INFRASTRUCTURE IMPACT
CBL Announces Ebola Relief Package
CBL Announces Ebola Relief Package The Central Bank of Liberia (CBL) has announced a special Ebola relief package aimed at strengthening the Liberian economy and easing the economic burden cause by the Ebola crisis on the people. The Executive Governor and Chairman of the Board of ;...
Secretary-General Calls Sixty-ninth Session ?Most Consequential for a Generation as Multiple Crises Test United Nations Charter Facing unparalleled global pressures, with a rising Ebola virus death toll, rampant extremism that was escalating terror to a new era and a new level? and unwilling refugees fleeing elevated sea-levels, the international community must tackle those formidable challenges with a sense of resolve and resilience, General Assembly President Sam Kutesa (Uganda) said at the opening of the sixty-ninth session of the 193-nation organ. To say we are living in tumultuous times would seem an understatement, Mr. Kutesa said. The coming year will be a momentous time for the United Nations. Rising to those challenges, the General Assembly adopted 213 resolutions and 26 decisions, while taking action on 172 agenda items that encompassed some of those pressing issues.
