SITUATION
• The mean rate at which new cases are reported in the three worst affected countries (Guinea, Liberia, Sierra Leone) has increased over the first two weeks of February, according to the World Health Organisation. Guinea in particular experienced a spike in case incidence, while case reporting from Sierra Leone has been stabilised after a decline noticed over December and January.
• Mean case fatality among hospitalised cases in the three countries remains high (53-60%). Security incidents connected to EVD response are still reported, while efforts to increase hygienic conditions and safe burial practices continue.
• As the rainy season in west Africa approaches (from April/May until September/October), concerns regarding access to villages for successful contact tracing intensify.
Food security is a further issue, as movement restrictions have had an impact mostly in the EVD affected communities, due to significant failure to harvest crops.
