Shiloh
Editor, Senior Moderator
Source: http://allafrica.com/stories/201411180871.html
Liberia: Zero Ebola Cases By X-Mas? Complacency Compounds Liberia's Reality
18 November 2014
Addressing the nation last week, Liberian President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf targeted December 25th, 2014, Christmas Day as a national goal for the possible elimination of the deadly Ebola virus from Liberia's soil as she announced an extension of a curfew imposed as a result of the outbreak and the lifting of the State of Emergency.
Said Sirleaf: "This is why, in keeping with the public health law, and determined to enable the maintenance of the required vigilance, community mobilization and awareness, as well as sustain the gains; until we can start the progressive countdown of 21 days, until the national goal of zero-new-cases by Christmas is achieved all across the country, we will keep many of the previous measures in place with appropriate adjustments, consistent with the progress in our fight."
In the past few weeks, declining numbers across the country, with the exception of a few spots in River Cess, Montserrado and Grand Cape Mount counties, have given hope to many that Liberia could actually beat the outbreak in time for Christmas. But despite the optimism, the nagging reality, coupled with pockets of cases in some areas, have many exercising caution and the international community is taking notice.
Dr. Bruce Aylward, the World Health Organization (WHO) Assistant Director General for Polio and Emergencies who was in Liberia last week, urged Liberians not to begin relaxing the measures aimed at stopping the transmission of the Ebola virus disease that has ravaged Liberia and its two neighbors, Guinea and Sierra Leone. The reality, is according to Dr. Bruce Aylward, there are still traces of the virus popping up in a number of areas across the country and any change in attitude in relation to the Ebola fight could be devastating to the population...
Liberia: Zero Ebola Cases By X-Mas? Complacency Compounds Liberia's Reality
18 November 2014
Addressing the nation last week, Liberian President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf targeted December 25th, 2014, Christmas Day as a national goal for the possible elimination of the deadly Ebola virus from Liberia's soil as she announced an extension of a curfew imposed as a result of the outbreak and the lifting of the State of Emergency.
Said Sirleaf: "This is why, in keeping with the public health law, and determined to enable the maintenance of the required vigilance, community mobilization and awareness, as well as sustain the gains; until we can start the progressive countdown of 21 days, until the national goal of zero-new-cases by Christmas is achieved all across the country, we will keep many of the previous measures in place with appropriate adjustments, consistent with the progress in our fight."
In the past few weeks, declining numbers across the country, with the exception of a few spots in River Cess, Montserrado and Grand Cape Mount counties, have given hope to many that Liberia could actually beat the outbreak in time for Christmas. But despite the optimism, the nagging reality, coupled with pockets of cases in some areas, have many exercising caution and the international community is taking notice.
Dr. Bruce Aylward, the World Health Organization (WHO) Assistant Director General for Polio and Emergencies who was in Liberia last week, urged Liberians not to begin relaxing the measures aimed at stopping the transmission of the Ebola virus disease that has ravaged Liberia and its two neighbors, Guinea and Sierra Leone. The reality, is according to Dr. Bruce Aylward, there are still traces of the virus popping up in a number of areas across the country and any change in attitude in relation to the Ebola fight could be devastating to the population...
