Summary
Five emergency appeals were launched to combat Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) outbreaks in Guinea, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Nigeria and Senegal. The appeals employ a 5 pillar approach spelled out in an Ebola strategic framework, comprising: (1) Beneficiary Communication and Social Mobilization; (2) Contact Tracing and Surveillance; (3) Psychosocial Support; (4) Case Management; and (5) Safe and Dignified Burials (SDB) and Disinfection. An additional coordination appeal was launched to accommodate multi-country support needs. Smaller preparedness and response operations were financed under its Disaster Response Emergency Fund (DREF) in Mali, Cote d’Ivoire, Cameroon,
Togo, Benin, Central African Republic, Chad, Gambia, Kenya and Guinea Bissau and Ethiopia, making 16 countries in Africa that have launched emergency operations relating to this outbreak.2
In Liberia, the caseload continues to decrease; there have been 66 confirmed cases over the past 21 days. There is still the need for response capacity but a review of strategy and resource allocation is underway. The SDB program is much improved by the availability of a national cemetery and there is continued improvement in data coordination for contact tracing. Hot spots are primarily in Grand Cape Mount and the Red Cross is actively supporting the response.
In Sierra Leone, as of 5 January 2015, field staff are reporting 9,780 cases and 2,616 deaths, corresponding to a fatality rate of 30%. This suggests a steady number of new cases (600-700 per week), but a slightly decreased fatality rate.
In Guinea ,the infection rate continues to decrease overall, with areas in and around Conakry and the Forest Region continuing to see a high concentration of cases. According to the Ministry of Health and the World Health Organization, as of 2 January 2015, Guinea had a total of 2,760 cases (suspected, probable, and confirmed), and 1,765 deaths, for a fatality rate of 64%. There has been a recent increase in the number of sub-prefectures who are presenting community resistance, and several incidents of violence against EVD responders have been reported. The Red Cross Society of Guinea has completed 2,1193 burials.
In Mali, On 26 December, the Ministry of Health announced a new suspected case of Ebola as at 25 December. Authorities have not disclosed the details of the patient. Blood samples have been sent for testing and results are awaited. Since 16 December, no cases have been reported in the country. Authorities have advised people to remain vigilant and report any suspected cases. The results of the suspected case have not been announced so far .