Monrovia – About forty six contacts have been identified by health authorities in a single case of the deadly virus that led to the death of a 30-year old woman with four undergoing treatment in Ebola Treatment Unit (ETU).
Three children of the deceased woman and her sister, all of whom made close contacts with her, are currently at the ETU with the deceased seven year old son showing signs and symptoms of the virus.
Ten health care workers from a local clinic where the deceased first sought treatment before she was transferred to the Redemption Hospital are also currently under voluntary precautionary observation, one health official told FrontPageAfrica.
The ten health care workers from a local clinic in the Jacob Town Community, the Mawata Medical Clinic, are being monitored closely after coming in contact either directly or indirectly with the deceased.
Ebola source known
One health official confirmed that preliminary investigation has established that the source of the infection is neighboring Guinea. According to findings, the deceased woman lived in Guinea with her husband who contacted the virus and died. The lady left Guinea two weeks after the death of her husband along with her three children and her sister for Monrovia.
In Monrovia the lady fell ill and was taken to the Mawata Clinic for treatment from where after her condition was deteriorating, she was later taken to the Redemption hospital where was pronounced dead upon arrival. The Ministry of Health has said it is encouraging citizens not to panic in the wake of the new Ebola Case, promising that further investigation are ongoing to find out more information on the new case.
According to the Ministry of Health, the World Health Organization had declared that Ebola is no longer a public health threat of international concern because the three affected countries Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone have the full capacity to effectively manage any resurgence of the Ebola Virus, as evident in the last two flare- ups in Liberia.
The Ministry Health has also indicated that it is urging the public to continue all preventive measures including washing your hands with soap and clean water. It is also cautioning communities to be vigilant to report to community leaders and Health officials any person showing signs and symptoms of Ebola and dead bodies
A statement from the Ministry of Health issued April 1 stated: The Ministry of Health is encouraging the citizens not to panic in the wake of the new Ebola Case. The tatement said a new Ebola case of a thirty year old woman has been confirmed.
The woman was taken to the Redemption Hospital Thursday evening, and was dead on arrival in Monrovia indicating tht her blood specimens were taken and tested positive for Ebola. Investigations are ongoing to identify the source of transmission and the line- listing of contacts,
Already, as indicated by the World Health Organization, Ebola is no longer a public health threat of international concern because the three affected countries Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone have the full capacity to effectively manage any resurgence of the Ebola Virus, as evident in the last two flare- ups in Liberia.
Meanwhile the Ministry of Health is urging the public to continue the following preventive measures: Always wash your hand s with soap and clean water. Communities should be vigilant to report to community leaders and Health officials any person showing signs and symptoms of Ebola and dead bodies. Call 4455 with any concerns and information. Always remember to protect yourself, your family and the community.
In January, the WHO declared the epidemic over in Liberia, effectively putting an end to the world’s worst outbreak of the disease. The “end of active transmission” was declared, after 42 days without a new case in Liberia. However, the WHO warned at the time that West Africa may see flare-ups of the virus. It has killed more than 11,000 people since December 2013.
A country is considered free of human-to-human transmission once two 21-day incubation periods have passed since the last known case tested negative for a second time. More than 17,000 Ebola survivors are dealing with a wide range of complications and social stigma. They include orphans with an uncertain future.
The economies of the three countries were also adversely affected. Sierra Leone was one of the fastest-growing economies in the world, with double digit growth figures. But Ebola sank it into severe recession. International experts have already cautioned that the road to complete recovery will be long and treacherous and will continue to test the resilience of the three countries.
A week ago, Liberia shut its border with Guinea as a precaution against the spread of resurging virus. “We have ordered the border with Guinea closed with immediate effect,” Mr. Nagbe said. “The border will remain closed until the situation in Guinea improves. We are not taking any chance at all.”
It has not been established how security at the borders allowed the woman and her family into Liberia after the pronouncement by the government of Liberia about border closure. Sierra Leone also took precautions announcing that it had taken steps to guard against the outbreak.