Dear Colleagues,
According to the latest figures, there have been 24,282 reported confirmed, probable, and suspected cases of EVD with 9,976 deaths since the outbreak began in December, 2013. A total of 116 new confirmed cases of were reported in the latest period, compared with 132 the previous week. Although there has not been a significant decline in overall case incidence since late January, the geographical distribution of cases is now more concentrated.
Both Guinea and Sierra Leone reported 58 new confirmed cases in the week until 8 March. This is the first time since June 2014 that weekly incidence in Sierra Leone has not exceeded that of Guinea. In Guinea, community engagement continues to be a significant challenge. Officials reported at least one security incident in 7 of Guinea’s prefectures and a total of 13 unsafe burials. Furthermore, a relatively low proportion of confirmed EVD cases arose among known contacts, while a relatively high proportion of EVD deaths occurred outside of treatment facilities. This suggests that there are still significant challenges in terms of contact tracing and that unknown chains of transmission persist in the country.
Happily, Liberia has reported no new confirmed Ebola cases for the second consecutive week. Last week, the country released its last confirmed Ebola patient from the hospital. The patient tested negative for the virus for the second time on 3 March. On 4 March Liberia started its 42-day, or two incubation-period, countdown towards being Ebola free.
Six countries (Mali, Nigeria, Senegal, Spain, the United Kingdom and the United States) have reported a case or cases imported from a country with widespread and intense transmission. All 6 countries are currently free from EVD.
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
Note: this email was sent BCC: All Staff Abt, All Abt JTA