Announcement

Collapse
No announcement yet.

Guinea - Ebola outbreak - 2021 - 23 cases including 12 deaths - declared over

Collapse
X
 
  • Filter
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts

  • An imam, a priest and the Ebola fight in Guinea

    13 April 2021

    Gouecke, Guinea ? Imam El hadj Moussa Soumahoro wears a serious face. He has just ended a morning sermon that concluded with Ebola preventive messages and the importance of vaccination against the virus that recently re-emerged in Guinea for the first time since the 2014?2016 outbreak. Soumahoro has joined the fight against the disease.

    ?Four of my brothers and cousins died of Ebola in 2015, so I know what I?m committing myself to,? says Soumahoro, as the congregation disperses while greeting each other from a distance. A handwashing station has been set up at the entrance to the mosque as has been done in all places of worship.

    Since the first confirmed cases on 14 February, the imam of Gouecke ? a rural community in south-eastern Guinea where the virus re-appeared ? has taken to encouraging the community to cooperate with the health authorities to curb the outbreak in which 23 cases and 12 deaths have been reported so far.

    Ebola claimed more than 11 000 lives in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone in the previous outbreak. However, some still doubt that the disease exists. "Trust underpins everything," Soumahoro says. ?The disease is real ? It is a fight that should not be taken lightly. That is why ? I felt it necessary to commit to the [Ebola] response by raising awareness.?

    Since the latest outbreak was declared, he has concluded each prayer with preventive messages and the importance of contacting the authorities in case of death. Funerals and burials are important cultural practices.

    Overcoming barriers

    Among many Guinean communities, burials are based on the social status, beliefs, gender and age of the deceased. Religion also plays a central role. The fear of not being able to carry out burials according to tradition has led some people not to report certain deaths to the authorities. ?The organization of [burial] ceremonies must strictly adhere to a number of age-old traditions that have remained unchanged in the community,? Sonah Mady Camara, a social anthropologist and a consultant with the World Health Organization (WHO), explains.

    ?The involvement of religious leaders in Gouecke in the response has been beneficial and has helped in overcoming a lot of reluctance within the community,? says Ibrahima Kone, the subprefect of Gouecke.

    Imam Soumahoro was among the first people to receive the Ebola vaccine, helping to convince many in his community to accept to be vaccinated. So far around 4000 people have received the vaccine, including 2400 frontline workers.

    While vaccination has been successful, screening for cases has been more challenging. Since the re-emergence of Ebola, personnel at the Gouecke health centre only carry out two or three consultations a day, compared with about 30 previously. ?Ebola is scary, and fear makes people hide as soon as they observe the first signs of the disease,? says Jean-Baptiste Goumou, the Gouecke parish priest who is also encouraging community collaboration.

    ?There were rumours that this disease was a big lie invented by the health authorities with the complicity of the government to make money at the expense of the Gouecke community,? says Kangbe Camara, a resident of Gouecke. ?It was also said that the vaccine had been brought to kill people. Thanks to the imam I got the courage to go and get vaccinated.?

    Monitoring Ebola

    Imam Soumahoro and the Gouecke parish priest are also members of the WHO Ebola monitoring committee tasked with addressing community reluctance in Gouecke. The committee has persuaded the population to participate in disease surveillance, screening and safe and dignified burials.

    ?The imam and the priest play a fundamental role in strengthening social bonds within the community. They are the confidants of everyone. This confers them a special status among the faithful and the community hence the importance of including them in the committee,? says social anthropologist Camara, who helped to set up the committee.

    ?When our teams work on the ground, they always start by visiting them [religious leaders]. As members of the monitoring committee tasked with overcoming reluctance, they are expected to significantly contribute in terms of observance of health measures and greater involvement of the communities in [Ebola] surveillance.?

    Imam El hadj Moussa Soumahoro wears a serious face. He has just ended a morning sermon that concluded with Ebola preventive messages and the importance of vaccination against the virus that recently re-emerged in Guinea for the first time since the 2014–2016 outbreak. Soumahoro has joined the fight against the disease.
    "Safety and security don't just happen, they are the result of collective consensus and public investment. We owe our children, the most vulnerable citizens in our society, a life free of violence and fear."
    -Nelson Mandela

    Comment


    • WEEKLY BULLETIN ON OUTBREAKS
      AND OTHER EMERGENCIES

      Week 15: 5-11 April 2021
      Data as reported by: 17:00; 11 April 2021


      ...
      Ebola virus disease Guinea

      Cases 23
      Deaths 12
      CFR 52.2%


      ...
      EVENT DESCRIPTION

      In the last 21 days, there have been two confirmed and three
      probable cases reported from the sub-prefecture of Soulouta,
      Nzerekore prefecture. Three sub-prefectures are on alert,
      including one in Lola. There are continued investigations into the
      Soulouta sub-prefecture cluster, with 34 notified alerts, of which
      three are suspicious deaths.

      As of 10 April 2021, a total of 23 cases have been reported,
      including 16 confirmed cases, and 7 probable cases, of which 9
      have recovered, and 12 have died (case fatality ratio 52.2%). The
      number of health workers infected remains five.

      Most of the confirmed and probable cases reported are female
      (13/23; 60.9%) and the most affected age group are those over
      40 years.

      As of 10 April 2021, a total of 84 (40%) out of 209 contacts
      have been followed up in Nzerekore. A total of 140 contacts have
      been vaccinated. There were 77 alerts notified on 10 April 2021,
      64 in Nzerekore and 13 in Conakry, of which 34 (44%) were
      investigated within 24 hours. Of these, four were validated, three
      of which were deaths. Two of the deaths were sampled.

      PUBLIC HEALTH ACTIONS

      Daily incident management system meetings take place
      with WHO, and have been moved to the WHO sub-office in
      Nzerekore.

      Community resistance is slowly being overcome, although
      contact follow-up is still compromised.

      A cumulative total of 6100 people have been vaccinated,
      including 444 high-risk contacts, 5 182 contacts-of-contacts
      and 474 probable contacts, including 2 368 frontline workers.

      Three patients, one confirmed and two suspected, are
      currently hospitalized in the Epidemic Diseases Hospital
      treatment centre.

      Infection prevention and control activities have been carried
      out in two health facilities in Conakry, with briefings on waste
      sorting, using gloves, hand hygiene, personal protective
      equipment, donning and doffing and development of the
      local improvement plan.

      A joint mission has been organized to assess water points
      requiring rehabilitation, along with the health infrastructure
      of 11 health facilities in Nzerekore.

      Risk communication and community engagement included
      a workshop with a group in charge of prevention who are
      addressing community resistance to response activities in
      Nzerekore; support for two awareness-raising session for
      975 people in Gou?ck? market on rumours around Ebola
      treatment centres via mobile radio; and continued advocacy
      for support of response activities.

      SITUATION INTERPRETATION

      Challenges still remain around the response to the ongoing
      EVD outbreak in Guinea, with continuing problems with
      locating contacts lost to follow-up and isolating suspected
      patients in Kpagalaye village
      . Community surveillance requires
      strengthening in the affected prefectures, as well as identification
      of the source of infection in Gou?ck?. The funding gap for
      response activities has not yet been closed.These challenges
      require urgent attention from authorities and partners, since it
      is possible that there are unrecognised chains of transmission,
      which could reveal further clusters of disease, along with the risk
      of geographical spread.


      ...
      "Safety and security don't just happen, they are the result of collective consensus and public investment. We owe our children, the most vulnerable citizens in our society, a life free of violence and fear."
      -Nelson Mandela

      Comment


      • Translation Google

        Ebola: lull in Guinea and DRC, but WHO experts remain cautious

        Published on : 04/16/2021 - 03:16
        Text by:
        RFI
        ...
        The Ebola epidemic is experiencing a lull in Guinea and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the two countries where the virus reappeared earlier this year. But WHO Africa experts remain very cautious because they still lack reliable indicators on its evolution.

        Without contamination recorded for 12 days in Guinea, the Ebola virus seems to be taking a break. But according to Dr. Mory Keita, there are still many questions about the fate of a confirmed case, hidden in his community.

        " Is he already dead?" And if he's dead, how was his body handled? Who are the people who have been exposed? If he's not dead, who are the people around him, are they taking action? Have they been contaminated? As we have no information on this case, it remains a great challenge. Certainly there is progress but today, it remains very difficult to tell you with confidence when we will be able to end the epidemic. "

        In the DRC, there are also security problems which, underlines Dr Thierno Balde, make the Ebola epidemic much more difficult to follow. " We are 42 days today without a new case, but the security situation in Beni, Butembo, leads us to speak with great caution because we do not have a lot of visibility on what is going on. past. "
        ...



        ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

        Ebola in Guinea: Dr Mory Ke?ta looks back on community issues and challenges

        Published by :
        Thierno Souleymane Diallo
        Thursday, April 15, 2021 at 1:13 p.m.

        Along with the fight against the coronavirus, Guinea continues to face Ebola hemorrhagic fever. Despite the cumulative efforts in surveillance and vaccination, and the results recorded, the task remains difficult on this second front. Dr Mory Ke?ta took stock this Thursday, April 15, 2021, during the press conference hosted by the Africa regional office of the World Health Organization (WHO).

        If the "Manager of the incident in the response to Ebola (in N'z?r?kor?) on behalf of the WHO", Dr Mory Ke?ta admits that results have been produced by the authorities and partners since the resurgence of the Eboba virus in Guinea, he remains very measured or even cautious on the subject. Due to external factors that negatively influence the response.

        ? We have already vaccinated 95% of the contacts identified by the on-site surveillance team. Which is a good number, ?he announces at the start of his speech. " Nevertheless , tempers the public health specialist , one of our confirmed cases and suspected cases are still in the communities ".

        Faced with the delicacy of the task, with an unfortunate precedent in the region during the onset of the disease (2024-2016), Dr Ke?ta displays a certain determination in the response but remains cautious and reasons in terms of prospects. ? We are trying to find them and isolate them. We also have challenges in terms of contact tracing because 25 contacts have not yet been found, ?he laments.

        Coming back to the facts, the manager of the incident in the response to Ebola recalls that " last week , we had community resistance which delayed our implementation of actions around the conformed cases ". Suddenly, he admits, " the alert is always optimal in N'Z?r?kor? which is the epicenter and in the neighboring districts ". Especially since, in his own words, " we are not performing well in terms of surveillance ".

        The evaluation made, "(...) we will improve these indicators ", he promises. Insisting on the fact that " we do not yet have too much confidence because we encounter challenges at the level of surveillance ", even if, " we have 12 consecutive days (without new case editor's note)".

        Nevertheless, " coordination efforts are underway to find these confirmed cases and all suspected cases on the ground also within the community ", promises Dr Ke?ta in his conclusion.

        Parallèlement à la lutte contre le coronavirus, la Guinée continue de faire face à la fièvre hémorragique à virus Ebola. En dépit des efforts cumulés dans la surveillance et la vaccination, et les résultats enregistrés, la tâche reste encore ardue su
        "Safety and security don't just happen, they are the result of collective consensus and public investment. We owe our children, the most vulnerable citizens in our society, a life free of violence and fear."
        -Nelson Mandela

        Comment


        • Translation Google

          Ebola in N'z?r?kor?: still no news of the confirmed case, hidden in the community

          Mohamed bangouraBy Mohamed Bangoura 2 hours ago in News , Latest News , Health

          The Ebola virus seems to be observing a truce in Guinea because for 19 days now, the country has not recorded any new case of the epidemic which is raging in the sub-prefecture of Soulouta in the forest region.

          While the countdown to the end of the disease should be triggered 21 days later, as many questions about the disappearance of a patient tap on many lips, especially among the actors of the response who are worried about the fate of a confirmed case ? hidden in his community?.

          ?Is he already dead? And if he's dead, how was his body handled? Who are the people who have been exposed? If he's not dead, who are the people around him, are they taking action? Have they been contaminated? As we have no information on this case, it remains a big challenge. Certainly, there is progress, but today, it remains very difficult to tell you with confidence when we will be able to end the epidemic ?, declared last week a WHO expert at our office. colleagues from RFI.

          Clearly, the patient is a national of Kpagalaye, the district where the Ebola virus reappeared for the second time in the sub-prefecture of Soulouta, in Forest Guinea.

          Alias ??Pythagoras, since it is him, is a pupil in a school of health care in the prefecture of N'z?r?kor?. Aged in his thirties, he had recently been involved in the fight against Ebola so it is said

          "To help lift reluctance in his native village of Kpagalaye", where citizens had banned access to Ebola response teams last month.

          According to a health source, the diagnostic test that was offered to him had turned out positive before it became extinct in the wild.

          "He was hiccupping and he would have been tested. It was after the results that he decided to go get his phone, which was connected to the DPS. It is from there, he managed to escape but we did not know what really happened so that he could not be found, ? a good source told us.

          The epidemiological monitoring commission in the hot seat

          With Dr. Angelo at its head, the epidemiological monitoring commission of the prefectural coordination of the fight against Ebola is the only questioned about the circumstances of the patient's disappearance.

          It has now been several days that Pythagoras has had no news and the fear of a rebound in the disease seizes the local health authorities who have just stepped up the search for the fugitive.

          According to our information, the Minister of Health cannot digest this state of affairs and threatened to sanction the members of the monitoring commission if the patient is not found in a short time.

          Although the patient's wife tested negative for the virus, the actors in the response are still very cautious because, they say, the fight is not yet won.

          Alexis Koli

          "Safety and security don't just happen, they are the result of collective consensus and public investment. We owe our children, the most vulnerable citizens in our society, a life free of violence and fear."
          -Nelson Mandela

          Comment


          • Translation Google

            Disease name Ebola virus disease (EVD)
            Notification date of the 1st confirmed case 02/13/2021
            Report date 04/21/2021


            I. Highlights
            Sensitization of the community of Kpagalaye by the Deputy Chief of Staff of the Army
            on the search for the confirmed case lost to follow-up,
            No new confirmed cases reported to date
            111 alerts reported (109 alive and 2 deaths), 49 investigated, 62 under investigation
            141 new alerts, including 42 investigated (7 deaths and 35 alive)
            ? 14 validated (9 deaths including 5 swabs), 5 suspected cases including 4 transferred to the CT-EPI (1 in Nz?r?kor?,
            and 3 in Gou?ck?) and 1 sample at the hospital
            ...
            Supported
            ...
            Follow-up and management of six (6) suspected cases and one (1) confirmed case of CT-PPE of
            Nz?r?kor? and Gou?ck?
            End of the training of 22 Soulouta Red Cross volunteers in psychosocial support and psychological first aid
            ...
            .Challenges

            Find the confirmed case of Gonia
            ...
            This page brings together locally, curated information for humanitarians to improve communication and collaboration during an emergency response.
            "Safety and security don't just happen, they are the result of collective consensus and public investment. We owe our children, the most vulnerable citizens in our society, a life free of violence and fear."
            -Nelson Mandela

            Comment


            • Translation Google

              Ebola in N'z?r?kor?: the last patient finally leaves the epidemiological treatment center

              By Mohamed Bangoura 3 days ago

              The one we prefer not to name is a housewife by profession, aged about forty and a citizen of the district of Kpagalaye in the sub-prefecture of Soulouta in the forest region.

              She was admitted to the CT-Epi in N'z?r?kor? on April 2, before she was officially declared cured on the evening of Friday April 23, 2021.

              She was escorted this afternoon by the response actors to her native village of Kpagalaye, epicenter of the second wave of the Ebola epidemic in Guinea.

              To date, 5 suspected cases are staying at the N'z?r?kor? epidemiological treatment center according to the medical referent of the NGO ALIMA who stresses that their first test for the Ebola virus has been negative.

              It must be said that the countdown to the end of the epidemic can soon be triggered even if a confirmed case remains hidden in its community.

              Alexis Koli



              ----------------------------------------------------------------------

              Fight against Ebola: a new countdown has started

              NEWS APRIL 27, 2021 CREATED: APRIL 27, 2021
              ...
              For Doctor Bouna Yatassaye, Deputy Director General of the agency, interviewed this Monday April 26 at our colleagues from the RTG, Guinea could soon declare the end of the disease and the countdown began two days ago. ''It has been two days since we have had any new cases of Ebola in the forest region. The patient who was in the treatment center came out cured two days ago. And the suspected cases that were there also came out cured after being tested for negativity. So from there we open the 42 day countdown, we are at D 2. Today this epidemic is contained so it is a major challenge that has been taken up. When it comes to covid, we are not only the best in this area, we continue to do what we can to contain the disease as much as possible. I am pleased to announce that the epidemic is confined to Conakry, although prefectures have recorded cases but we are continuing the fight against covid with the availability of vaccines. Currently,He said on national television.
              ...

              MLYans

              "Safety and security don't just happen, they are the result of collective consensus and public investment. We owe our children, the most vulnerable citizens in our society, a life free of violence and fear."
              -Nelson Mandela

              Comment



              • WEEKLY BULLETIN ON OUTBREAKS
                AND OTHER EMERGENCIES

                Week 18: 26 April to 2 May 2021
                Data as reported by: 17:00; 2 May 2021

                ...
                Ebola virus disease Guinea

                23 Cases
                12 Deaths
                52.2% CFR


                EVENT DESCRIPTION

                No new confirmed Ebola virus disease (EVD) cases have been
                reported in Nzerekore prefecture, the site of the current EVD
                outbreak in Guinea, as of 1 May 2021. There are no active
                subprefectures within the prefecture of Nzerekore, and no new
                confirmed cases have been reported in the past 21 days. There
                are, however, 19 new suspected cases, of which one has been
                transferred into isolation and sampled, two have been sampled in
                the community and 16 have refused sampling.

                As of 1 May 2021, a total of 23 cases have been reported,
                including 16 confirmed cases, and 7 probable cases, of which
                9 have recovered, and 12 have died (case fatality ratio 52.2%).
                The number of health workers infected remains five. The missing
                confirmed case is still unaccounted for and the validated start
                date of the countdown to end of outbreak is 8 May 2021, taking
                this case into account.

                The majority of the confirmed and probable cases reported are
                female (13/23; 60.9%) and the most affected age group are those
                over 40 years.

                A total of 1 114 contacts have been listed, and 56% of these have
                been vaccinated. As of 1 May 2021 a total of 110 alerts were
                notified, of which 10 were deaths. Of these alerts, 46 (45%) were
                investigated within 24 hours. A total of 29 alerts were validated
                and six of the 10 death alerts have been sampled. The majority of
                alerts came from active case search, with few coming from the
                community.

                PUBLIC HEALTH ACTIONS

                Monitoring and coordination meetings are now taking place
                in a newly equipped emergency operations centre, supported
                by WHO.

                A ?sweep vaccination? approach is being used to catch up
                with contacts, contacts-of-contacts and probable contacts in
                the remaining hotspots in order to prevent possible chains
                of transmission.

                A cumulative total of 8 638 people has been vaccinated,
                including 622 high-risk contacts, 7 482 contacts-of-contacts
                and 534 probable contacts, including 2 529 frontline workers.
                Three patients, all suspected cases, are currently hospitalized
                in the Epidemic Diseases Hospital treatment centre.

                Infection prevention and control (IPC) activities included an
                information session on swabbing techniques and biosafety
                of samples for staff at the Nzerekore Regional Hospital
                mortuary. In addition, IPC kits were distributed to four health
                facilities in Nzerekore; and five of the 15 water drilling points
                in the rural community of Soulouta were rehabilitated.

                Ten new community deaths were reported, with six samples
                collected and no safe and dignified burials carried out.

                Risk communication and community engagement (RCCE)
                included continued supervision of the socio-anthropological
                study into reasons for refusal of safe and dignified burials
                and sampling from the bodies, and additionally supported
                organization of an awareness-raising tour of communities of
                the nine rural districts of Soulouta by community leaders; a
                meeting with the youth movement ?never again? in Nzerekore
                to plan information sessions on EVD; elaboration of the terms
                of reference with UNFPA for organization of an educational
                talk with traditional birth attendants and pregnant women
                in Kpagalaye; and continued support to the communication
                commission.

                SITUATION INTERPRETATION

                The situation in Guinea is still not stable with contacts lost to
                follow up and one confirmed case remaining in the community.
                The appearance of 19 new suspected cases is also of concern.
                Alerts continue to be received, although few are reported by the
                community and 24-hour follow-up is inadequate. Community
                surveillance in Nzerekore and neighbouring provinces requires
                strengthening.
                In addition, the WHO response plan is still only
                17% funded. This gap needs urgently to be filled if the momentum
                of response is to continue.

                "Safety and security don't just happen, they are the result of collective consensus and public investment. We owe our children, the most vulnerable citizens in our society, a life free of violence and fear."
                -Nelson Mandela

                Comment


                • WEEKLY BULLETIN ON OUTBREAKS
                  AND OTHER EMERGENCIES

                  Week 19: 3-9 May 2021
                  Data as reported by: 17:00; 9 May 2021

                  ...
                  Ebola virus disease Guinea

                  23 Cases
                  12 Deaths
                  52.2% CFR


                  EVENT DESCRIPTION

                  No new confirmed Ebola virus disease (EVD) cases have been
                  reported in Nzerekore prefecture, the site of the current EVD
                  outbreak in Guinea, as of 9 May 2021. There are no active
                  sub-prefectures within the prefecture of Nzerekore, and no
                  new confirmed cases have been reported in the past 21 days.
                  However, four new suspected cases have been notified; one has
                  been sampled and three have declined sampling.

                  As of 9 May 2021, a total of 23 cases have been reported,
                  including 16 confirmed cases, and 7 probable cases, of which 9
                  have recovered, giving a recovery rate of 39.1%. Of the 23 cases,
                  12 have died (case fatality ratio 52.2%). The number of health
                  workers infected remains five.

                  The majority of the confirmed and probable cases reported are
                  female (13/23; 60.9%) and the most affected age group are those
                  over 40 years.

                  A total of 1 114 contacts have been listed, and 56.0% of these
                  have been vaccinated. As of 9 May 2021 a total of 35 new alerts
                  were notified in Nzerekore, including three deaths. Of these, 10
                  (29.0%) were investigated within 24 hours and six were validated.
                  Six new alerts were received in neighbouring prefectures, all
                  community deaths, all were investigated and none validated.

                  PUBLIC HEALTH ACTIONS

                  The 42-day countdown to the end of the outbreak started on
                  8 May 2021, with the expected date for the declaration of the
                  end of the outbreak the 19 June 2021.

                  Continued support is being provided to Nzerekore and all
                  neighbouring prefectures for enhanced surveillance during
                  this period.

                  A cumulative total of 9 569 people have been vaccinated,
                  including 622 high-risk contacts, 8 413 contacts-of-contacts
                  and 534 probable contacts, including 2 694 frontline
                  workers. Four vaccination teams are deployed in the field,
                  supported by WHO.

                  One suspected case is currently hospitalized in the Epidemic
                  Diseases Hospital treatment centre in Nzerekore and one
                  suspected patient is hospitalized in Goueke Epidemic
                  Diseases hospital; a total of four patients, all suspected
                  cases, are currently being managed in treatment centres.
                  Infection prevention and control (IPC) activities included
                  an orientation session on biosafety principles and the
                  management of suspected EVD cases held for 40 health
                  workers from four isolation sites at Nzerekore; organization
                  of a briefing session on EVD standard and supplementary
                  precautions for six health workers in the Koropara Health
                  Centre, followed by provision of IPC kits.

                  Eleven new community deaths were reported, with seven
                  samples collected and no safe and dignified burials carried
                  out.

                  Risk communication and community engagement (RCCE)
                  included two in-depth interviews on the EVD experience of a
                  survivor and a local elected official in the Goueke community;
                  and integrated briefing of 50 religious leaders on community
                  surveillance in order to help manage response resistance
                  and increase the number of alerts in Nzerekore.

                  SITUATION INTERPRETATION

                  As the 42-day countdown to the end of outbreak declaration
                  starts, the situation in Guinea is still not stable with contacts
                  still lost to follow up and one confirmed case remaining in the
                  community. Alerts continue to be received, although few are
                  reported by the community and 24-hour follow-up is inadequate.

                  Community surveillance in Nzerekore and neighbouring
                  provinces requires strengthening. In addition, the WHO response
                  plan is still only 17% funded. This gap needs urgently to be filled
                  if the momentum of response is to continue.

                  "Safety and security don't just happen, they are the result of collective consensus and public investment. We owe our children, the most vulnerable citizens in our society, a life free of violence and fear."
                  -Nelson Mandela

                  Comment


                  • WEEKLY BULLETIN ON OUTBREAKS
                    AND OTHER EMERGENCIES

                    Week 20: 10-16 May 2021
                    Data as reported by: 17:00; 16 May 2021

                    ...
                    Ebola virus disease Guinea

                    23 Cases
                    12 Deaths
                    52.2% CFR


                    EVENT DESCRIPTION

                    No new confirmed Ebola virus disease (EVD) cases have been
                    reported in Nzerekore prefecture, the site of the current EVD
                    outbreak in Guinea, since 8 April 2021. This is 43 consecutive
                    days with no new confirmed cases. However, 26 new suspected
                    cases were notified, one of whom was transferred to an isolation
                    centre. Four cases were sampled and 21 refused sampling.
                    As of 16 May 2021, a total of 23 cases have been reported,
                    including 16 confirmed cases, and 7 probable cases, of which 9
                    have recovered, and 12 have died (case fatality ratio 52.2%). The
                    number of health workers infected remains five.

                    The majority of the confirmed and probable cases reported are
                    female (13/23; 60.9%) and the most affected age group are those
                    over 40 years.

                    There are currently no active contacts under follow-up. On 16
                    May 2021 there were 66 new alerts in Nzerekore, including five
                    deaths. Of these, 32 (48.0%) were investigated and 26 validated,
                    including the five deaths. In neighbouring prefectures, there
                    were 17 new alerts (6 in Beyla, 3 in Gueckedou, 3 in Lola, 3 in
                    Macenta and 2 in Yomou) including 9 community deaths. All
                    were investigated and none validated. In Conakry, there were no
                    new alerts.

                    PUBLIC HEALTH ACTIONS

                    The 42-day countdown to the end of the outbreak started on
                    8 May 2021, with the expected date for the declaration of the
                    end of the outbreak the 19 June 2021.

                    Continued support is being provided to Nzerekore and all
                    neighbouring prefectures for enhanced surveillance during
                    this period.

                    A cumulative total of 10 081 people has been vaccinated,
                    including 622 high-risk contacts, 8 925 contacts-of-contacts
                    and 534 probable contacts, including 2 714 frontline
                    workers. Four vaccination teams are deployed in the field,
                    supported by WHO.

                    Two suspected cases are currently hospitalized in the
                    Epidemic Diseases Hospital treatment centres.

                    Infection prevention and control (IPC) activities included
                    training 24 local health workers on swab collection
                    techniques and biosafety during safe and dignified burials;
                    22 health workers were trained in active case finding of
                    suspected cases; and disinfection solution was distributed
                    to 14 health facilities in Conakry.

                    Five new community deaths were reported, with five samples
                    collected and no safe and dignified burials carried out.

                    Risk communication and community engagement (RCCE)
                    included briefing on the management of response resistance
                    for 30 health workers from private and public health facilities.
                    In addition, there was participation in the joint meeting of the
                    communication and surveillance pillars to discuss response
                    resistance; presentation of the socio-anthropological study
                    on the reasons for refusing sampling and continued support
                    to the communication commission.

                    SITUATION INTERPRETATION

                    As the 41-day countdown to the end of outbreak declaration
                    continues, now standing at 34 days, the situation in Guinea is
                    still not stable with contacts lost to follow up and one confirmed
                    case remaining in the community. Alerts continue to be received,
                    although few are reported by the community and 24-hour followup
                    is inadequate
                    . Community surveillance in Nzerekore and
                    neighbouring provinces requires strengthening. In addition, the
                    WHO response plan is still only 17% funded. This gap needs
                    urgently to be filled if the momentum of response is to continue.

                    "Safety and security don't just happen, they are the result of collective consensus and public investment. We owe our children, the most vulnerable citizens in our society, a life free of violence and fear."
                    -Nelson Mandela

                    Comment


                    • WEEKLY BULLETIN ON OUTBREAKS
                      AND OTHER EMERGENCIES

                      Week 21: 17-23 May 2021
                      Data as reported by: 17:00; 23 May 2021

                      ...

                      Ebola virus disease Guinea

                      23 Cases
                      12 Deaths
                      52.2% CFR


                      EVENT DESCRIPTION

                      No new confirmed Ebola virus disease (EVD) cases have been
                      reported in Nzerekore prefecture, the site of the current EVD
                      outbreak in Guinea, since 23 May 2021. It is now day 27 before
                      the end of outbreak declaration, scheduled for 19 June 2021.
                      As of 23 May 2021, a total of 23 cases have been reported,
                      including 16 confirmed cases, and 7 probable cases, of which 9
                      have recovered, and 12 have died (case fatality ratio 52.2%). The
                      number of health workers infected remains five.

                      The majority of the confirmed and probable cases reported are
                      female (13/23; 60.9%) and the most affected age group are those
                      over 40 years.

                      There are currently no active contacts under follow-up. On 23
                      May 2021, there were 56 new alerts received in Nzerekore,
                      including 10 deaths, of which 28 (50%) were investigated. A
                      total of 26 were validated, including two deaths. In neighbouring
                      prefectures, nine new alerts were received, all of which were
                      investigated and none validated.

                      PUBLIC HEALTH ACTIONS

                      The 42-day countdown to the end of the outbreak started on
                      8 May 2021, with the expected date for the declaration of the
                      end of the outbreak the 19 June 2021.

                      Continued support is being provided to Nzerekore and all
                      neighbouring prefectures for enhanced surveillance during
                      this period.

                      A cumulative total of 10 733 people has been vaccinated,
                      including 622 high-risk contacts, 9 577 contacts-of-contacts
                      and 534 probable contacts, including 2 767 frontline workers.

                      Four vaccination teams are deployed in the field, supported
                      by WHO; the teams will end operations at the end of May
                      2021.

                      Five suspected cases are currently hospitalized in the
                      Epidemic Diseases Hospital treatment centres.

                      Four new community deaths were reported, with three
                      samples collected and no safe and dignified burials carried
                      out.

                      Risk communication and community engagement (RCCE)
                      included support for training 21 data entry operators for
                      the collection of community feedback data; support for
                      installation of RCCE focal points and new supervisors in five
                      health facilities to strengthen surveillance and improve alert
                      reporting; support to Youmou and Bignamou authorities
                      in sensitizing 120 people for acceptance of Lassa fever
                      response teams in these rural communities.

                      SITUATION INTERPRETATION

                      The 42-day countdown to the end of outbreak declaration
                      continues, now standing at 27 days. Alerts continue to be received,
                      although few are reported by the community and 24-hour followup is
                      inadequate. Community surveillance in Nzerekore and
                      neighbouring provinces still requires strengthening.
                      In addition,
                      the WHO response plan is still only 17% funded. This gap needs
                      urgently to be filled if the momentum of response is to continue.

                      "Safety and security don't just happen, they are the result of collective consensus and public investment. We owe our children, the most vulnerable citizens in our society, a life free of violence and fear."
                      -Nelson Mandela

                      Comment


                      • WEEKLY BULLETIN ON OUTBREAKS
                        AND OTHER EMERGENCIES

                        Week 22: 24 - 30 May 2021
                        Data as reported by: 17:00; 30 May 2021


                        ...

                        Ebola virus disease Guinea

                        23 Cases
                        12 Deaths
                        52.2% CFR


                        EVENT DESCRIPTION

                        No new confirmed Ebola virus disease (EVD) cases have been
                        reported in Nzerekore prefecture, the site of the current EVD
                        outbreak in Guinea, as of 30 May 2021, which was day 20 to the
                        end-of-outbreak. A total of 45 new suspected cases were notified
                        in this period, of which 40 were not validated.

                        As of 29 May 2021, a total of 23 cases have been reported,
                        including 16 confirmed cases, and 7 probable cases, of which 9
                        have recovered, and 12 have died (case fatality ratio 52.2%). The
                        number of health workers infected remains five.

                        The majority of the confirmed and probable cases reported are
                        female (13/23; 60.9%) and the most affected age group are those
                        over 40 years.

                        There are currently no active contacts under follow-up. On 29 May
                        2021, there were 58 new alerts received in Nzerekore, including
                        eight deaths, of which 38 (66.0%) were investigated. A total of 23
                        were validated, including the deaths. In neighbouring prefectures,
                        11 new alerts were received, all of which were investigated and
                        none validated.

                        PUBLIC HEALTH ACTIONS

                        The 42-day countdown to the end of the outbreak started on
                        8 May 2021, with the expected date for the declaration of the
                        end of the outbreak the 19 June 2021.

                        Continued support is being provided to Nzerekore and all
                        neighbouring prefectures for enhanced surveillance during
                        this period.

                        A cumulative total of 10 873 people has been vaccinated,
                        including 622 high-risk contacts, 9 717 contacts-of-contacts
                        and 534 probable contacts, including 2 879 frontline workers.
                        No new vaccines are being administered.

                        Five suspected cases are currently hospitalized in the
                        Epidemic Diseases Hospital treatment centres.

                        Eight new community deaths were reported, with eight
                        samples collected and no safe and dignified burials carried
                        out.

                        Infection prevention and control (IPC) activities include a
                        performance assessment of Yalenzou community health
                        centre and Yomou Prefecture Hospital, followed by a briefing
                        of 10 health workers in handling reusable materials.

                        Risk communication and community engagement (RCCE)
                        included support to the communication commission;
                        reports on the socio-anthropological research into the Ebola
                        virus outbreak and support to the surveillance commission
                        in training health workers in Koropara.

                        SITUATION INTERPRETATION

                        The 42-day countdown to the end of outbreak declaration
                        continues, now standing at 21 days. Few community alerts
                        are received, and 24-hour follow-up remains poor. Community
                        surveillance in Nzerekore and neighbouring provinces still
                        requires strengthening.
                        In addition, the WHO response plan is
                        still only 17% funded. This gap needs urgently to be filled if the
                        momentum of response is to continue.

                        "Safety and security don't just happen, they are the result of collective consensus and public investment. We owe our children, the most vulnerable citizens in our society, a life free of violence and fear."
                        -Nelson Mandela

                        Comment


                        • WEEKLY BULLETIN ON OUTBREAKS
                          AND OTHER EMERGENCIES

                          Week 23: 31 May to 6 June 2021
                          Data as reported by: 17:00; 6 June 2021
                          ...

                          Ebola virus disease Guinea 52.2%

                          23 Cases
                          12 Deaths
                          52.2% CFR


                          EVENT DESCRIPTION

                          No new confirmed Ebola virus disease (EVD) cases have been
                          reported in Nzerekore prefecture, the site of the current EVD
                          outbreak in Guinea, as of 6 June 2021, which was day 13 to the
                          end-of-outbreak.

                          As of 6 June 2021, a total of 23 cases have been reported,
                          including 16 confirmed cases, and 7 probable cases, of which 9
                          have recovered, and 12 have died (case fatality ratio 52.2%). The
                          number of health workers infected remains five.

                          The majority of the confirmed and probable cases reported are
                          female (13/23; 60.9%) and the most affected age group are those
                          over 40 years.

                          There are currently no active contacts under follow-up. On
                          6 June 2021, there were 62 new alerts received in Nzerekore,
                          including nine deaths, of which 31 (50.0%) were investigated.
                          A total of 23 were validated, including the nine deaths. In
                          neighbouring prefectures, 20 new alerts were received including
                          eight community deaths, all of which were investigated and none
                          validated.

                          PUBLIC HEALTH ACTIONS

                          The 42-day countdown to the end of the outbreak started on
                          8 May 2021, with the expected date for the declaration of the
                          end of the outbreak, the 19 June 2021.


                          Continued support is being provided to Nzerekore and all
                          neighbouring prefectures for enhanced surveillance during
                          this period.

                          A cumulative total of 10 873 people have been vaccinated,
                          including 622 high-risk contacts, 9 717 contacts-of-contacts
                          and 534 probable contacts, including 2 879 frontline workers.

                          No new vaccines are being administered.

                          Six suspected cases are currently hospitalized in the
                          Epidemic Diseases Hospital treatment centres.

                          Eighteen new community deaths were reported, with nine
                          samples collected and no safe and dignified burials carried
                          out.

                          Infection prevention and control (IPC) activities included
                          swabbing seven community death alerts.

                          Risk communication and community engagement (RCCE)
                          included continued in-depth research into the experience
                          of EVD in communities in Nzerekore; documentation
                          of the contribution of risk communication, community
                          engagement and social science by WHO and support to the
                          communication commission.

                          SITUATION INTERPRETATION

                          The 42-day countdown to the end of outbreak declaration
                          continues, now standing at 13 days. Community surveillance
                          in Nzerekore and neighbouring provinces still requires
                          strengthening.
                          The 90-day resilience plan requires revision,
                          which is being planned. All authorities and partners need to
                          continue full support for response operations at this critical stage
                          of the outbreak.

                          "Safety and security don't just happen, they are the result of collective consensus and public investment. We owe our children, the most vulnerable citizens in our society, a life free of violence and fear."
                          -Nelson Mandela

                          Comment


                          • Outbreaks and Emergencies Bulletin, Week 24: 07 - 13 June 2021
                            ...

                            Ebola virus disease Guinea

                            23 Cases
                            12 Deaths
                            52.2% CFR


                            EVENT DESCRIPTION

                            No new confirmed Ebola virus disease (EVD) cases have been
                            reported in Nzerekore prefecture, the site of the current EVD
                            outbreak in Guinea, as of 12 June 2021, which was day seven
                            to the end-of-outbreak. However, 46 new suspected cases were
                            notified, of which four were transferred to Ebola treatment
                            centres, and 38 were not validated as suspected cases.
                            As of 12 June 2021, a total of 23 cases have been reported,
                            including 16 confirmed cases, and 7 probable cases, of which 9
                            have recovered, and 12 have died (case fatality ratio 52.2%). The
                            number of health workers infected remains five.

                            The majority of the confirmed and probable cases reported are
                            female (13/23; 60.9%) and the most affected age group are those
                            over 40 years.

                            There are currently no active contacts under follow-up. On 13
                            June 2021, there were 139 new alerts received in Nzerekore, of
                            which 95 (68.0%) were investigated. A total of 46 were validated,
                            including two deaths, which were swabbed. In neighbouring
                            prefectures, 36 new alerts were received, 35 (97.0%) of which
                            were investigated and none validated.

                            PUBLIC HEALTH ACTIONS

                            The 42-day countdown to the end of the outbreak started on
                            8 May 2021, with the expected date for the declaration of the
                            end of the outbreak the 19 June 2021.

                            Continued support is being provided to Nzerekore and all
                            neighbouring prefectures for enhanced surveillance during
                            this period.

                            A cumulative total of 10 873 people has been vaccinated,
                            including 622 high-risk contacts, 9 717 contacts-of-contacts
                            and 534 probable contacts, including 2 879 frontline workers.
                            No new vaccines are being administered.

                            Fifteen suspected cases are currently hospitalized in the
                            Epidemic Diseases Hospital treatment centres.

                            Two new community deaths were reported, with one sample
                            collected and no safe and dignified burials carried out.
                            Infection prevention and control (IPC) activities included the
                            start of the last cohort of the joint training of health workers
                            in the use of Oraquick tests in Nzerekore.

                            Risk communication and community engagement (RCCE)
                            included continued training and supervision of the RCCE
                            focal point and supervisor deployed in Gonia; continued
                            support to the Supervisory Board in overcoming community
                            resistance for transfer suspected cases to Ebola treatment
                            centre; and continued documentation of the contribution of
                            the WHO RCCE activities in the response to EVD in Nzerekore.

                            SITUATION INTERPRETATION

                            The 42-day countdown to the end of outbreak declaration
                            continues, now standing at seven days. Community surveillance
                            in Nzerekore and neighbouring provinces still requires
                            strengthening.
                            The 90-day resilience plan requires revision,
                            which is being planned. All authorities and partners need to
                            continue full support for response operations at this critical stage
                            of the outbreak.

                            "Safety and security don't just happen, they are the result of collective consensus and public investment. We owe our children, the most vulnerable citizens in our society, a life free of violence and fear."
                            -Nelson Mandela

                            Comment


                            • Ebola outbreak in Guinea declared over

                              19 June 2021

                              Brazzaville/Conakry – The Ebola outbreak that emerged in Guinea in mid-February was declared over today. It was the first time the disease resurfaced in the country since the deadly outbreak in West Africa that ended in 2016.

                              Guinean health authorities declared the outbreak on 14 February 2021 after three cases were detected in Gouecke, a rural community in the southern N’zerekore prefecture, the same region where the 2014–2016 outbreak first emerged before spreading into neighbouring Liberia and Sierra Leone and beyond.

                              A total of 16 confirmed and seven probable cases were reported in Guinea’s latest outbreak in which 11 patients survived and 12 lives lost. Shortly after the infections were detected, national health authorities, with support from World Health Organization (WHO) and partners, mounted a swift response, tapping into the expertise gained in fighting recent outbreaks both in Guinea and in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

                              “I commend the affected communities, the government and people of Guinea, health workers, partners and everyone else whose dedicated efforts made it possible to contain this Ebola outbreak,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. “Based on the lessons learned from the 2014–16 outbreak and through rapid, coordinated response efforts, community engagement, effective public health measures and the equitable use of vaccines, Guinea managed to control the outbreak and prevent its spread beyond its borders. Our work in Guinea continues, including supporting survivors to access post-illness care.”

                              WHO helped ship around 24 000 Ebola vaccine doses and supported the vaccination of nearly 11 000 people at high risk, including over 2800 frontline workers. More than 100 WHO experts were on the ground coordinating key aspects of the response such as infection prevention and control, disease surveillance, testing, vaccination and treatment using new drugs. Collaboration with communities was also enhanced to raise awareness about the virus and ensure their involvement and ownership of the efforts to curb the disease.

                              “Although this Ebola outbreak flared up in the same area as the West Africa one which killed 11 000 people, thanks to new innovations and lessons learned, Guinea managed to contain the virus in four months,” said Dr Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa. “We are getting faster, better and smarter at fighting Ebola. But while this outbreak is over, we must stay alert for a possible resurgence and ensure the expertise in Ebola expands to other health threats such as COVID-19.”

                              WHO continues to support Guinea in its efforts to remain vigilant, maintain surveillance and build capacity to respond quickly to a possible resurgence of the virus. An Ebola laboratory, treatment infrastructure, logistics capacity and infection prevention measures have been reinforced to better respond to the disease as well as other health emergencies.

                              While the latest Ebola outbreak was limited to Guinea, to prevent cross-border infections, WHO supported six of the country’s neighbours to ramp up preparedness measures, including stepping up surveillance and screening at border crossings and within high-risk communities, as well as enhancing coordination between governments and the respective health services.

                              Support to Ebola survivors is also crucial. Genome sequencing found that the virus behind Guinea’s just-ended outbreak was similar to that identified in the 2014–2016 outbreak. Though more studies are needed to fully understand how the two outbreaks may be linked, Guinean health authorities reactivated a surveillance programme for survivors to provide long-term monitoring and after-care support.

                              In support of the government’s efforts to curb the outbreak, WHO worked with other United Nations agencies and partners such as the African Development Bank, Alliance for International Medical Action, African Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations, Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, the International Organization for Migration, Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network, Terre des Hommes, United Nations Central Emergency Response Fund, United Nations Children’s Fund, United States Agency for International Development, World Bank and World Food Programme.

                              The Ebola outbreak that emerged in Guinea in mid-February was declared over today. It was the first time the disease resurfaced in the country since the deadly outbreak in West Africa that ended in 2016.
                              "Safety and security don't just happen, they are the result of collective consensus and public investment. We owe our children, the most vulnerable citizens in our society, a life free of violence and fear."
                              -Nelson Mandela

                              Comment


                              • Translation Google

                                Ebola: a new lead on the origin of the recent epidemic in Guinea

                                Published on : 09/16/2021 - 19:11

                                Text by:
                                Leopold Picot

                                In a study published in the prestigious scientific journal Nature , Guinean and French researchers show for the first time that an Ebola epidemic, like the one that occurred in Guinea in 2021, can be declared from a “sleeper” viral strain in a person, more than five years after being infected. Even if the phenomenon would be extremely rare, this discovery underlines the importance of the follow-up of the survivors.

                                On February 14, 2021, the Guinean government announced that an Ebola virus epidemic had broken out in the N'Zérékoré prefecture. In mid-June, the epidemic is over, it has caused the death of 12 people out of 23 identified cases. The study published in Nature on Wednesday September 15, entitled " Resurgence of the Ebola virus in 2021, Guinea: A new paradigm on epidemics " , confirms that the strain of the virus responsible for this epidemic is the same as that which affected the country five years earlier. The 2021 epidemic is therefore not of animal but of human origin, and patient 0 is probably a survivor of the previous epidemic.

                                Supporting survivors to understand Ebola

                                Some 17,000 patients survived the epidemic that spanned from December 2013 to June 2016 in West Africa. Alongside Guinean researchers Saliou Sow, Abdoulaye Touré and Alpha Keita, Frenchman Eric Delaporte, professor of infectious diseases at the University of Montpellier, followed more than 800 survivors in Guinea, out of the 1,270 counted in the country.

                                “We had to take care of the survivors on leaving Ebola treatment centers, because they were most often traumatized psychologically and physically,” he explains. We followed them for five years at the Guinea Infectious Disease Research and Training Center (Cerfig), in Conakry. And in doing so, we have been able to make enormous progress in understanding the infection ”. During the pandemic, after leaving the treatment center, most survivors were sent home without special follow-up. " It's as if you come out of intensive care and let you fend for yourself ."

                                “ The centers were proceeding according to the recommendations of the time. The survivors were declared cured, but on a biological basis, that is - that there was more of virus in the blood, there was no support program yet , "explains Eric Door. However, we know today, thanks to a previous study by these same researchers, that the sequelae linked to the infection are numerous and that the virus can nest in liquids other than blood.

                                Persistent symptoms were thus observed in three quarters of the survivors at the start of the follow-up, in particular bone and joint pain, neurological disorders, or even inflammatory glaucoma. " Over time, these manifestations decrease significantly - today it is only a third of the survivors who are concerned - with very moderate attacks ", assures the professor.

                                The results of analyzes of the strain of the 2021 epidemic surprised researchers at Cerfig, associated with the Institute for Research for Development (IRD) and the German Robert Koch Institute. Eric Delaporte, IRD, testifies: “ We did not expect to find the same strain as at the end of the 2013-2015 epidemic. We said to ourselves that we had to verify that it was not a laboratory contamination. Three other laboratories, including a Guinean and a Senegalese, carried out new analyzes. All find the same result, which upsets the perception of the Ebola virus disease: this strain could only be transmitted by a human being, a survivor of the previous epidemic, whose virus has reactivated.

                                Support, vaccinate, without stigmatizing

                                In their press release announcing the publication of the study, the researchers insist: we must fight against the stigmatization of survivors, who could be put aside by their loved ones for fear of a resurgence. " The phenomenon remains extremely rare, " insists Professor Delaporte. Having observed clinical sequelae after the acute phase of infection, the researchers would like the survivors to be followed up systematically. They also suggest that those with low antibody levels be vaccinated against Ebola: without a vaccine, some might not be able to control a reactivation of their quiescent virus.

                                Natalie Roberts, an emergency doctor at MSF who has studied the Ebola disease virus, insists that vaccination should be offered to everyone. “ In some affected countries, population movements are significant and public health infrastructure is weak. It is probably not realistic to want to follow all the survivors for years, ”she warns. On the other hand, vaccination seemed to him to be a more realistic solution: “ Besides vaccination of survivors, which should strengthen their antibodies, we could consider that of their sexual partners and other people around them who will be exposed to bodily fluids of the survivor. ".

                                Basic research on treatments should also be stepped up. “ It has been shown that well-targeted monoclonal, ie artificial, antibodies can control the infection but do not kill the virus. Today, we need drugs that are virucidal if we want to permanently eliminate the virus from the body in the rare cases where it remains asleep, quiescent, ”claims Professor Delaporte.

                                "Safety and security don't just happen, they are the result of collective consensus and public investment. We owe our children, the most vulnerable citizens in our society, a life free of violence and fear."
                                -Nelson Mandela

                                Comment

                                Working...
                                X