SITUATION
• Since early July 2014, reported cases have continued increasing in the four countries affected by the EVD epidemic, according to the WHO.
• In the three countries with intense and widespread transmission of the virus, namely Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone, the week between 18-24 August has seen a particularly high increase of new cases.
Preliminary results of an analysis of case distribution indicate a higher concentration in Gueckedou (Guinea), Lofa (Liberia) and Kenema and Kailahun (Sierra Leone), than in the rest of the affected areas. The overall case fatality stands at 51%, ranging from 41% in Sierra Leone to 66% in Guinea.
• In Nigeria, although all cases reported so far were in Lagos, a new case was confirmed in the capital of Rivers State, Port Harcourt, on 27 August.
• On 26 August, the WHO was notified by the Ministry of Health of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) of an outbreak of EVD in the northern province of Equateur. As of 27 August, the outbreak in DRC is believed to be “unrelated to the ongoing outbreak in west Africa” (WHO).
• As of 29 August, international media (BBC) report a case of Ebola in Senegal, concerning a man from Guinea, who was immediately isolated. The article quotes Senegal’s Ministry of Health as its source of information. Senegal has already closed its borders with Guinea.
Sources: WHO 1, 2 & 3, CDC, ECDC, Government of Sierra Leone, BBC