KEY POINTS
Response partners launch several social mobilization initiatives in Guinea and Sierra Leone
Government authorities and response partners focus on cross border prevention measures Liberian authorities review Resilient Health System Investment Plan
Key Political and Economic Developments
- NSTR
Response Efforts and Health
WHO reported a total of 79 new confirmed cases of EVD cases in the week to 22 March, compared to 150 in the previous week. There were 45 new confirmed cases reported from Guinea (compared to 95 in the previous week), 33 new confirmed cases in Sierra Leone (compared to 55) and a new confirmed case was reported from Liberia on 20 March, having reported no cases for 3 consecutive weeks. The 79 confirmed cases is the lowest weekly total in 2015.
In total, 24,927 confirmed, probable and suspected cases of EVD have been reported in the three most affected countries. There have been 10,338 reported deaths.
The suspected measles/EVD case from Juarzon was located in Kapu’s Town, Sinoe County (refer to UNMEER sitrep 25 March). It was clarified that the individual is a suspected measles case. A surveillance team composed by the County Health Team (CHT), UNMEER/WHO, UNICEF and Care International, visited Kapu’s Town to investigate the cases. The individual had initially refused to provide samples for testing or go to the E. J. Grant Hospital for treatment but later agreed after the team explained the importance of getting tested and treated. The team also visited the neighbouring town of Samue to follow up on suspected measles cases and will be following up on Periodic Intensified Routine Immunization in the area.
In Ganta, Nimba County the NGO, Community Health Education and Social Services (CHESS) Liberia,
WHO and UNICEF facilitated a one-day training workshop on prevention of cross border EVD transmission for 40 personnel from the Bureau of Immigration and Naturalization (BIN). The goal of the project is to support the BIN and local communities to prevent cross border EVD transmission between Nimba County and neighbouring Guinea and Cote d’Ivoire. The trained BIN officials will be engaged as facilitators for similar training workshops to be rolled out to the border communities.Government authorities in Kambia district, Sierra Leone have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with their Guinean counterparts for the management of cases, surveillance and laboratory support in view of the cases occurring in the Guinean border town/area of Forécariah. Guinean authorities have indicated that Forécariah will also have a stay-at-home period to reinforce the efforts of Sierra Leonean authorities, which is planned for 27 to 29 March.
In Faranah Perfecture, Guinea, a training team from UNMEER Conakry, including WHO and AU Support to Ebola Outbreak in West Africa (ASEOWA) delivered EVD medical refresher training on 23 March to Prefectural Coordination, Prefectural Health Direction, Regional Health Direction, Prefectural Hospital staff and held meetings with the same group on 23 and 24 March.
IOM officially handed over the Prefectural Coordination building to the Macenta authorities on 23 March. The new building is located at the Prefectural Health Direction, and comprises several offices and a conference room.