Ministry of Health School re-opening postponed, but work continues on making schools safe.
Today the Government of Liberia announced that the date for re-opening schools has been pushed back to February 16. The re-opening date had been February 2. Schools now will use February 2-16 to do training and take other steps to make schools safe. The Ministries of Education and Health are working closely withthe Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) cluster, UNICEF and other partners,
County Health Teams, and School Districts to put protective measures in place in schools.
Protocols and supplies for a safe school environment are being sent to all 5,181 schools in Liberia. The protocols say what needs to be done to make the schools safe. They focus on infection control and prevention. If students are sick, they should stay home. When students go to school, they will be checked for fever and other symptoms and will wash their hands before going into the building. If students become sick during school, they will be moved to a safe place away from other students.Teachers and PTA members will be trained on theprotocols. Local leaders, communities, and families can help set up School Ebola Safety Committees. Everybody has a part.
There will be challenges and maybe even be some fears. But as our President has told us, “If your dreams do not scare you, they are not big enough.” When it comes to our children, we must dream big.
Working together we can make sure that our children go to safe schools.
Hospitals and clinics to give PERI vaccines to young children next week.
During February 2-6, regular vaccines and vitamin A will be given to children under five years old at hospitals and health clinics in Liberia. These medicines are being given as part of the Periodic Intensification of Routine Immunization (PERI). The shots protect children against measles and other diseases. Parents should take their young children to a hospital or clinic. Health care workers have been trained to give the shots safely and they will be wearing protective equipment. Remember to take your child’s vaccination card. By giving shots to more children, there is less chance of large measles outbreaks in communities. Like the re-opening of schools, giving PERI vaccines to children is a step toward building a stronger Liberia. The vaccines are free and safe.
Health officials closely tracking Ebola situation in Montserrado County.
For the 21 days ending January 26, there were 18 confirmed cases of Ebola, less than one per day.
During January 25-28, there were no new confirmed cases of Ebola in Liberia. This is the third time in January we have gone at least 3 days with no new confirmed cases. It is good news. But we are closely watching the situation in St. Paul Bridge in Montserrado County, where 7 confirmed cases have been reported recently. This is one of the hot spots for Ebola in Liberia.
The Montserrado County Health Team has found many people who had contact with these Ebola patients. These contacts are now in follow up to see if they show signs of Ebola. If any of them becomes sick, they will be taken to an ETU quick quick. This is how we save lives and how we will stop Ebola in Montserrado County.
Cross-border protection a priority for fighting Ebola.
A team of experts from the IMS traveled to Sierra Leone last weekend to meet with officials from Sierra Leone, Guinea, and Cote d'Ivoireabout cross-border issues. Each country presented the latest information about the outbreak. The good news is that the numbers of cases in each of the affected three countries are going down. Liberia is ahead of the other countries in this decline. We can show our neighbors how we are responding to the outbreak and bringing it under control. We can be the leaders for West Africa in ending the epidemic. Liberia will not be truly free of Ebola if our neighbors are still struggling with the outbreak. That’s why cross-border protection is a new priority for the IMS.