1. Summary
The current EVD outbreak has reached five countries in West Africa, with 3,052 documented cases and 1,546 deaths (as of 29 August). A separate, unrealted Ebola outbreak has also been reported in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
No licensed treatment currently exists for EVD. Only supportive care, containment and transmission prevention are the currently available interventions. UNICEF procures and stocks essential medical supplies and personal protective equipment for caregivers and patients. UNICEF is currently sourcing and procuring the necessary “high quality” personal protective equipment (PPE) and essential medical supplies in support of EVD outbreak response.
UNICEF does not yet supply the full suite of PPE items required in the “high risk” Ebola setting (direct contact with cases and bodies), but is consulting with WHO, the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) and other stakeholders to review and fully map PPE options appropriate for an EVD context. While some PPE can be used in both high and low risk settings, “category 3” (high exposure) overalls and coveralls, especially, are currently being sourced. UNICEF is developing product specifications of essential supplies to assist country offices (COs) in EVD planning, preparedness and response.
UNICEF encourages partners to harmonise EVD response and supply content to ensure cost-effective and efficient outbreak response management.