WHO: Ebola virus disease update - West Africa (1779 cases, 961 deaths)

WHO ^ | 08/08/2014 | WHO

[BuckeyeTexan]

Epidemiology and surveillance

Between 5 and 6 August 2014, a total of 68 new cases of Ebola virus disease (laboratory-confirmed, probable, and suspect cases) as well as 29 deaths were reported from Guinea, Liberia, Nigeria, and Sierra Leone.

Health sector response

On Wednesday, 6 August and Thursday, 7 August, an Emergency Committee was held via teleconference to determine whether the current outbreak constitutes a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. After discussion and deliberation on the information provided, the Committee advised that:

• the Ebola outbreak in West Africa constitutes an ‘extraordinary event’ and a public health risk to other States;
• the possible consequences of further international spread are particularly serious in view of the virulence of the virus, the intensive community and health facility transmission patterns, and the weak health systems in the currently affected and most at-risk countries.
• a coordinated international response is deemed essential to stop and reverse the international spread of Ebola.

It was the unanimous view of the Committee that the conditions for a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) have been met. The entire statement, including a list of temporary recommendations, can be found at http://who.int/mediacentre/news/statements/2014/ebola-20140808/en/.

On Friday, 8 August, the Director-General, Dr Margaret Chan, gave a press briefing to the international media from WHO Headquarters. Dr Chan will give an additional briefing on the situation of the outbreak and the ongoing response in the region to the Permanent and Observer Missions to the United Nations and other international organizations in Geneva on Tuesday, 12 August. Permanent Representatives of the affected countries have been invited to speak on behalf of their respective Governments on the national Ebola response and priorities.

On Monday, 11 August, WHO will convene a panel of medical ethics experts to begin looking at the use of experimental treatments in the ongoing EVD outbreak in West Africa. At this time, there are no registered medicines or vaccines against this deadly virus; several experimental options are currently under development, though. The recent treatment of two health workers from US faith-based aid organizations has raised questions about whether medicines that have never been tested or shown to be safe in humans should be used in outbreak situations. In the case of Ebola, supplies are extremely limited, which then raises questions about who should receive it, if it’s used.

Disease update

New cases and deaths attributable to EVD continue to be reported by the Ministries of Health in Guinea, Liberia, Nigeria, and Sierra Leone. Between 5 and 6 August 2014, 68 new cases (laboratory-confirmed, probable, and suspect cases) of EVD and 29 deaths were reported from the four countries as follows: Guinea, 0 new cases and 4 deaths; Liberia, 38 new cases and 12 deaths; Nigeria, 4 new cases and 1 death; and Sierra Leone, 26 new cases and 12 deaths.

As of 6 August 2014, the cumulative number of cases attributed to EVD in the four countries stands at 1 779, including 961 deaths. The distribution and classification of the cases are as follows: Guinea, 495 cases (355 confirmed, 133 probable, and 7 suspected), including 367 deaths; Liberia, 554 cases (148 confirmed, 274 probable, and 132 suspected), including 294 deaths; Nigeria, 13 cases (0 confirmed, 7 probable, and 6 suspected), including 2 deaths; and Sierra Leone, 717 cases (631 confirmed, 38 probable, and 48 suspected), including 298 deaths.

Confirmed, probable, and suspect cases and deaths from Ebola virus disease in Guinea, Liberia, Nigeria, and Sierra Leone, as of 6 August 2014:

8.8.2014	New	Confirmed	Probable	Suspect	Totals
Guinea
Cases	0	355	133	7	495
Deaths	4	231	133	3	367
Liberia
Cases	38	148	274	132	554
Deaths	12	132	117	45	294
Nigeria
Cases	4	0	7	6	13
Deaths	1	0	2	0	2
Sierra Leone
Cases	26	631	38	48	717
Deaths	12	259	34	5	298
Totals
Cases	68	1,134	452	193	1,779
Deaths	29	622	286	53	961

[George from New England]

It will be a financial disaster to the entire world if those Nigerian lottery distribution outfits start losing their staff. Think of all those emails that come and line our pockets with $$$.

[Darksheare]

Roughly 60% or so current mortality rate, and Immigration says they will not longer screen for infectious disease.
Loverly.
[That decision was made a few years back because it is apparently “racist” to screen for disease?]

[BuckeyeTexan]

Indeed. The WHO doesn't even recommend a travel ban to/from the affected countries.

The WHO recommendations at the link embedded in the update are:

• There should be no general ban on international travel or trade; restrictions outlined in these recommendations regarding the travel of EVD cases and contacts should be implemented.
• States should provide travelers to Ebola affected and at-risk areas with relevant information on risks, measures to minimize those risks, and advice for managing a potential exposure.
• States should be prepared to detect, investigate, and manage Ebola cases; this should include assured access to a qualified diagnostic laboratory for EVD and, where appropriate, the capacity to manage travelers originating from known Ebola-infected areas who arrive at international airports or major land crossing points with unexplained febrile illness.
• The general public should be provided with accurate and relevant information on the Ebola outbreak and measures to reduce the risk of exposure.
• States should be prepared to facilitate the evacuation and repatriation of nationals (e.g. health workers) who have been exposed to Ebola.

[Carry_Okie]

The WHO doesn't even recommend a travel ban to/from the affected countries.

The WHO is concerned with the health of the world, as opposed to its people. Hence, a world with fewer people is, to them, a healthier world. This is a disease that is made to order, quick, messy, highly contagious, and primarily destructive to the poor.

Somebody is going to make a lot of money in the personal protective equipment business, and somebody else is going to gain considerable leverage dispensing experimental treatments.

[RayChuang88]

Most caused because of the poor sanitary conditions in these countries. That’s why people are really crossing their fingers the diesease doesn’t end up in a place like India, where the combination of high population density and poor sanitary conditions would spread the disease in no time flat.

[RinaseaofDs]

It ain't the cases, it's the trend:

2014 West Africa Ebola Outbreak

Does this look like a disease that is burning itself out?

[Old Yeller]

Africa - The lost continent.

[Old Yeller]

The WHO doesn't even recommend a travel ban to/from the affected countries.

They won't be fooled again.

[jjsheridan5]

Most caused because of the poor sanitary conditions in these countries. That’s why people are really crossing their fingers the diesease doesn’t end up in a place like India, where the combination of high population density and poor sanitary conditions would spread the disease in no time flat.

Finger crossing time, then:

Has Ebola Virus Reached India? Health Officials Monitor Ghana Returnee

Maybe countries should put less effort on monitoring returnees, and put more effort into making sure that there are fewer of them. Flights should have been closed weeks ago, once it was apparent that this wasn't behaving like a typical Ebola outbreak.

[Carry_Okie]

Meet the new boss, same as the old boss.

[BuckeyeTexan]

No, especially not in urban W.A.