Dear Colleagues,

According to the WHO, a total of 13,042 confirmed, probable, and suspected cases of Ebola virus disease (EVD) have been reported in six affected countries (Guinea, Liberia, Mali, Sierra Leone, Spain and the United States) and two previously affected countries (Nigeria and Senegal) up to the end of 2 November. There have been 4,818 reported deaths. The current number of cases and deaths is actually lower this week than previously reported because many suspected Ebola cases/deaths have been ruled out.

In Guinea, the weekly transmission incidence appears to be stable. The weekly incidence in Sierra Leone continues to rise and in Liberia it appears to be declining. In all three countries however, EVD transmission remains persistent, particularly in the capital cities. Cases and deaths continue to be under-reported. The U.N. Mission for Ebola Emergency Response (UNMEER) has stated that it suspects an average of 50 percent of cases are not being reported in Sierra Leone alone.

There are continuing gaps in the international Ebola response effort. In parts of Sierra Leone, where Ebola is said to be spreading nine times faster than it was two months ago, there is a particular lack of treatment centers, and lack of food and basic goods has forced some people to leave quarantine areas. In Liberia, not a single U.S.-promised treatment center has opened in the country. The first 25-bed facility is scheduled to open in the next few days, but will only treat aid workers.  Although hundreds of millions of dollars have been pledged fear, quarantines, and insurance issues have hampered volunteers.

Of the countries with limited transmission, no new cases have been reported.  Mali and the United States continue to monitor potential contacts. In Spain, all contacts have completed the 21-day follow-up period. In the separate outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, no new reported contacts are being followed. Twenty-four days have passed since the last case tested negative twice. Once 42 days have passed, the country will be declared free of Ebola.

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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