With the number of deaths due to the Ebola virus disease outbreak in Guinea continuing to rise, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is increasing its support to the region through the deployment of nine more health specialists, and the issuing of an emergency appeal of 1,292,372 Swiss francs.
The emergency appeal aims to support more than 3 million people in at-risk communities in Guéckédou, Macenta,Kissidougou and Conakry, expanding on activities already being implemented by the Red Cross Society of Guinea, in collaboration with its partners. This includes providing community level information and health promotion, disinfecting dwellings after confirmed Ebola cases, assisting in the collection and removal of dead bodies, and tracing people who may have come into contact with those carrying the virus.
The emergency appeal follows the release of 142,102 Swiss francs from the IFRC’s Disaster Emergency Relief Fund on 28 March. It too is being topped up to 250,000 Swiss francs to support the increased operations.
“Scaling up our response at this time is crucial as we continue to see new cases on a daily basis,” says Panu Saaristo, team leader, IFRC Field Assessment Coordination Team. “We are not seeing an end to the outbreak just yet.”
As of today, and since the outbreak was announced on 21 March 2014, 54 cases have been confirmed in Guinea, along with 143 suspected cases and 86 fatalities. The virus, which first surfaced in the rural areas of the south, has since spread to the capital of Conakry.
The Red Cross Society of Guinea is increasing the number of volunteers involved in the response from 100 to 400. “The epi-centre of the outbreak is in the south, however, now that the virus has spread to the capital of Conakry, we consider the main route linking these two areas to be at risk,” said Dr Facely Diawara, health coordinator, Red Cross Society of Guinea. “We need to mobilize more volunteers to ensure every community along this route is reached with messages on how to prevent the spread of this deadly virus.”
In collaboration with Médecins Sans Frontières, volunteers are being trained and outfitted with personal protective gear to ensure they do not contract nor spread the virus. The gear includes gloves, masks and goggles.
“Fear and stigma have a negative impact on the control of the outbreak. If people are frightened, they hide, refuse to go into isolation, or leave the isolation unit before they are cleared, increasing the potential for the virus to spread,” adds Saaristo. “This is where the Red Cross plays a critical role. We are in every community, providing reassurance to calm the panic which can take hold.” Two Ebola virus disease cases have also been confirmed in Liberia. An IFRC Field Assessment Coordination Team is now in-country, providing additional health support to the National Society. The virus has not surfaced in neighbouring Sierra Leone, however, in a preventative measure, the Sierra Leone Red Cross Society has been tasked by the government to conduct mass awareness raising on how to best prevent the disease from spreading. It is using SMS technology to share such messages.
Ebola virus disease is highly infectious and can spread quickly through contact with infected persons or animals. There is no cure or vaccine, however, the virus can be prevented from spreading by ensuring those caring for infected persons are properly protected with gloves, masks and goggles. Symptoms include severe fever, extreme weakness, headaches, diarrhoea and vomiting. Internal and external bleeding can also occur.
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is the world’s largest volunteer-based humanitarian network, reaching 150 million people each year through its 189 member National Societies. Together, IFRC acts before, during and after disasters and health emergencies to meet the needs and improve the lives of vulnerable people. It does so with impartiality as to nationality, race, gender, religious beliefs, class and political opinions. For more information, please visit www.ifrc.org/africa. You can also connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Flickr.
For further information, please contact:
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 Ababa:
• Katherine Mueller, communications manager, IFRC Africa Mobile: +251 930 03 3413 E-mail: katherine.mueller@ifrc.org
In Geneva:
• Benoit Carpentier, senior officer, public communications, IFRC Mobile : +41 79 213 24 13 E-mail : benoit.carpentier@ifrc.org