The British Red Cross has deployed a health delegate to Liberia in response to the increasing cases of Ebola in the region.
The current outbreak started in neighbouring Guinea and has so far resulted in 83 deaths and 127 suspected infections (as of April 02), according to the World Health Organisation.
Pete Garratt, British Red Cross disaster response manager, said: “The Red Cross has acted quickly to prepare communities and it is vital people know how to prevent the spread of the virus.
“Ebola is a highly infectious virus but its spread can be controlled. The British Red Cross health delegate will be an essential part of the response team and will lend their expertise to the efforts.” There is no cure or vaccine for the virus, but its spread can be prevented.
There have been two confirmed cases in Liberia and several suspected infections in Sierra Leone. The Red Cross, working with health authorities and other partner agencies, is stepping up its work in the region to support affected communities.
Volunteers from the Red Cross Society of Guinea are already involved in the collection and removal of dead bodies to limit contamination. A further 100 volunteers are being mobilised to work in the affected regions to step up emergency communication and raise awareness among communities on how to prevent the spread of the virus.
The Sierra Leone Red Cross Society has meanwhile, begun sending awareness and preparedness messages to the public; while the Liberia Red Cross Society has started preparedness planning.
For interviews on the ground, please contact:
Panu SAARISTO
Coordinateur, Urgences Santé
FACT Guinée mars 2014 +224 623467036
Fédération Internationale des Sociétés de la Croix-Rouge et du Croissant-Rouge
Chemin des Crêts 17 | 1209 Petit Saconnex | Genève| Suisse
Tél. +41 (0)22 730 4317| Fax +41 (0)22 733 0395 | Mob. +41 (0)79 217 3349
Courriel panu.saaristo@ifrc.org | Skype psaaristo
Ends
Notes to editors
For interviews, photography, case studies or more information, please contact Henry Makiwa (HMakiwa@redcross.org.uk 0207 877 7479)
In Conakry:
Dr Facely Diawara, head of health, Red Cross Society of Guinea
Phone: +224 628 68 22 07/ 628 38 64 72 E-mail: faceli76@yahoo.fr
(French interviews only)
In Nairobi:
Dr Adinoyi Ben Adeiza, health coordinator, IFRC Africa
Mobile: +254 731 990 076 E-mail: adinoyi.adeiza@ifrc.org
(English interviews only)
In Dakar:
Moustapha Diallo, senior regional communications officer, IFRC
Mobile: +221 774 501 004 E-mail: moustapha.diallo@ifrc.org
(French and English interviews)
In Addis:
Katherine Mueller, communications manager, IFRC Africa, Mobile: +251 930 03 3413 E-mail: katherine.mueller@ifrc.org
In Geneva :
Benoit Carpentier, senior officer, public communication, IFRC Mobile: +41 79 213 24 13 E-mail : benoit.carpentier@ifrc.org
The British Red Cross helps people in crisis, whoever and wherever they are. We are part of a global voluntary network, responding to conflicts, natural disasters and individual emergencies. We enable vulnerable people in the UK and abroad to prepare for and withstand emergencies in their own communities. And when the crisis is over, we help them to recover and move on with their lives.