Summary
The cumulative number of Laboratory confirmed cases are 458 whiles confirmed death is 153 with a Case Fatality Rate (CFR) based on confirmed cases of 33.4% (26/07/14).
Eighty two (82) patients are currently admitted at the Kailahun and Kenema Isolation Units with cumulative discharges of 116.
Total number of contacts listed is 1435: Kailahun (728), Kenema (449), Port Loko (52), Kambia (10), Bo (79), Bombali (24), Bonthe (21) and Western Area (72). 547 have completed 21 days and are dropped off from follow up.
WHO has upgraded the Ebola response in West Africa to a Grade 3, the highest level emergency response.
A special Development Partners Coordination meeting chaired by President Ernest Bai Koroma and attended by cabinet ministers and heads of development agencies was convened to discuss Ebola Response Plan - Budget USD 22 million.
UNICEF participates in the Ebola Operations Centre. The EOC will serve as the Sierra Leone National Central Command and Control Center for Outbreak Response activities and meets every day. Office of National Security will join the EOC the coming week.
DHMT-WA/UNICEF launched a large social mobilization campaign in Freetown/Western Area on 25th July 2014 with 10 mobile teams. Ten vehicles with mounted PA systems are manned by trained volunteer mobilizers. Each team is provided with megaphones and a variety of IEC/BCC materials (Ebola fact sheets, leaflets on Ebola key messages and the two types of Ebola poster).
UNICEF met with the Chief/President of the Islamic religion for Sierra Leone to strategize activities leading up to Eid. Eid sermons will include key messages on Ebola, IEC materials were provided as well as supporting the Chief with radio interviews and outreach messages.
UNICEF in collaboration with Ministry of Social Welfare Gender and Children Affairs (MSWGCA) and Save the Children has completed a rapid needs assessment on Child Protection in Kailahun and Kenema districts to determine needs of children impacted by Ebola, and are finalizing the report. Initial findings reveal that, there are 58 affected children (26 Girls, 32 Boys) registered in the past 2 weeks in Kailahun district and 29 in Kenema district (17 Girls, 12 Boys).
Since the beginning of Ebola outbreak in Sierra Leone, UNICEF has received a total amount of US$ 331,248 which includes; US$200,000 (OFDA) and US$131,248 – CERF. All these amounts have been fully utilized. The current gap is estimated at US$ 3,168,458
Within the broader framework of the National Accelerated Ebola Virus Disease Outbreak Response Plan, UNICEF Sierra Leone Country Office (SLCO) has identified a number of key priority interventions it seeks to support through financial, technical support and through provision of supplies. All activities are part of the broader national plan.
UNICEF Sierra Leone Country Office has prepared an Ebola response plan with funding requirements which covers a period of six months from July to December 2014. This emergency funding appeal to local donors amounts to USD 3,499,706 to offer comprehensive support to the six pillars: Coordination; Social Mobilization; Surveillance and Contact tracing; Supplies and Logistics; Child Protection; and WASH. The amount pledged or received is US$ 331,248 and the current gap is US$ 3,168,458.