Dear Colleagues,
There are few signs that the Ebola epidemic is being brought under control in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), there were 7,178 Ebola cases, including 3,338 deaths, as at end 28 September 2014. Transmission remains widespread and persistent in these three countries, with evidence of increasing case frequency in several areas.
Nigeria has had no new cases of Ebola since August 31, and all of the 891 contacts have exited the monitoring phase. In Senegal, all contacts have completed monitoring period, with no further cases of Ebola reported. In the separate outbreak affecting the Democratic Republic of Congo, there have been 70 cases, including 42 deaths, attributed to Ebola. More than 660 contacts have completed follow-up period and 279 continue to be monitored.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has confirmed the first case of Ebola to be diagnosed in the United States in a person who had traveled to Dallas from Liberia. The patient, who did not have symptoms during the flights from West Africa, was admitted to hospital on Sept. 28 and has been isolated. CDC does not recommend that people on the same flights undergo monitoring, as Ebola is contagious only if the person is experiencing active symptoms. Public health authorities are conducting extensive contact tracing. Authorities are confident that they can contain the virus.
The United Nations is increasing efforts to curb the spread of the disease. The mission aims to have all its materials in place within the next 30 days and to have 70 percent of infected people in treatment within 60 days. It also intends to ensure 70 percent of burials are done in a safe way within the same timeframe.
Please keep in mind that Abt Associates will match up to $5,000 in staff contributions to organizations working to stop the spread of the Ebola virus. Remember to send proof of your donation to an organization working on Ebola to Benny Pittman by October 24.
This story from today’s New York Times describes the reality of a hospital in Makeni, one of Sierra Leone’s largest cities. Your donation will help support health worker training that is desperately needed.
Please email David Rolph, our director of Global Security, david_rolph@abtassoc.com and cc Sarah Dedic, sarah_dedic@abtassoc.com with any questions you have about the status of the outbreak.
Best,
Jay
Jay L. Knott | Executive Vice President, Chief Business Officer | Abt Associates
O: 301-347-5896| F: 301-828-9739 | www.abtassociates.com
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