Dear Colleagues:
Liberia, Guinea, and Sierra Leone continue to struggle to contain the Ebola epidemic that has infected 1,711 people and left 932 dead since the start of the year. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) between August 2 and 4, there have been a total of 108 new cases of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) as well as 45 deaths reported in Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone. The Emergency Committee of the WHO is presently meeting to review whether the current Ebola outbreak constitutes a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC); a decision is expected by August 8. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has raised the level of its response to the West African Ebola outbreak to a "level 1 activation," its highest alert status.
Following the CDC's July 31 advisory that US nationals defer nonessential travel to EVD-affected countries, at least 10 countries have all issued similar travel recommendations. Major transit hubs throughout East and Southern Africa have taken preventative measures in response to growing concern over the outbreak and have enhanced screening at border points in an attempt to identify potentially infected travelers. At present, two major airlines have suspended flights to and from Liberia, Guinea, and Sierra Leone.
National authorities in Ghana, Nigeria, and Togo continue to work closely with WHO and its partners in identification of contacts and contact tracing as well as in preparing response plans as a result of the death of a Liberian national from EVD in Nigeria. Despite efforts to contain the disease, Nigerian authorities have reported 9 suspected or confirmed cases. In response, the CDC has issued a Level 2 Alert for Nigeria in order to notify travelers of the Ebola outbreak in the country and to advise them to take enhanced precautions to minimize the risk of contracting the disease.
In response to the recent developments, we have evacuated our TCN employee from Liberia and are in continuous contact with our two remaining staff members there. We have since reached out to our staff throughout West Africa to ensure everyone is informed and prepared should the situation change in any of the neighboring countries. We will continue to monitor the situation and will communicate any modifications to our current guidance.
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. They are in constant touch with government agencies and industry colleagues.
Attached is the French translation of the Ebola Facts that was emailed last Friday.
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