Ebola Outbreak Health Update - 9 January 2015
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Ebola Outbreak
Health Update - 9 January 2015
Weekly Newsletter
The most recent WHO Ebola Situation Report, released on the 5th of January 2015, indicates that there have been
over 8000 reported deaths related to the outbreak of Ebola Virus Disease in West Africa. The total number of
confirmed, probable and suspected cases now exceeds 20 000 in the three countries experiencing intense
trasmission of the virus. Liberia, which has experienced high levels of infection in previous months, has shown a
decline in case incidence. Sierra Leone , however, is still experiencing intense transmission in certain areas of the
country, and is the country that has been the most severely affected by the epidemic, with over 9000 confirmed
cases.
Please find below the latest news updates on the outbreak.
Situation Report- One year after Patient Zero
The current and unprecedented outbreak of Ebola Virus Disease is focused in three countries in West Africa :
Liberia, where it is currently stable or decreasing, Sierra Leone, which is experiencing a rise in transmission, and in
Guinea, which still has fluctuating case incidence.
According to the French National Reference Center for Viral Hemorragic Fevers, the scope and severity of the Ebola
Virus Disease in West Africa can be explained by several factors, including limited understanding of the disease
(first identified in Central Africa in 1976), as well as social, economic and cultural obstacles. Taskforces are focused
on community mobilization, understanding cultural funeral rites and mitigating the local populations’ mistrust of
health care workers.
Consequences of the Ebola epidemic.
The current outbreak has decimated local health systems that were already poorly equipped to handle medical
emergencies.
A surge in other diseases such as Malaria and Dysentery has also been reported. Moreover, whilst efforts are
focused on eradicating Ebola, there has been a substantial decrease in reported cases of Malaria, a deadly disease
that is severely affecting the subcontinent. This may mean that a large number of cases are currently unreported.
It remains difficult to predict exactly when the Ebola epidemic will end.
Several experts have hypothesized that this will likely not be the last outbreak of Ebola Virus Disease, and it may
reappear in other African nations in the future.
Sierra Leone : Extension of quarantine measures in Tonkolili district.
January 4th 2015: The government of Sierra Leone declared that it would extend the quarantine measures in
Tonkolili district for another two weeks. The northern districts of Port Loko and Tonkolili are currently the only
districts in Sierra Leone that are still currently subject to quarantine measures. Furthermore, new screening
measures were introduced at Freetown’s International Airport after it was discovered that two Airport workers
had contracted the virus. These new precautionary measures include temperature scans for airport staff, in
addition to scans already currently performed on travelers.
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1/5Ebola Outbreak
Health Update - 9 January 2015
Mali : End of enhanced screening measures
Since the 6th of January 2015, travelers arriving to the United States via Mali are no longer subject to enhanced
screening measures enforced by border agents. The US Government had implemented these measures in early
October 2014 in an effort to curb the risk of transmission on American soil. The measures, which were geared
towards detecting Ebola related symptoms upon arrival, were enforced in 5 major American airports: JFK (New
York), Newark (New Jersey), Dulles (near Washington DC), Atlanta and O’Hare (Chicago).
The last case of Ebola in Mali tested negative for the disease on the 5th of December 2014, and there have been
no cases reported since. All contacts have been traced, and there has been no resurgence of the disease. The
outbreak in Mali was related to the one currently affecting Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea.
However, it is important to note that these screening measures are still enforced for travelers arriving from Liberia,
Sierra Leone and Guinea.
Liberia : Schools to reopen
6 months after schools closed their doors to students admits fears of the spread of Ebola, Liberia’s Ministry of
Education has announced their intention to re-open schools next semester. On the 5th of January, they released a
statement indicating that classes would resume at the beginning of February. They have urged schools to equip
themselves with sanitary equipment for preventive measures.
Schools in Liberia had closed in August 2014, at the height of the outbreak in the country.
Air Carriers
There are 3 airlines that are still servicing the most affected areas :
• Monrovia (Liberia) : Royal Air Maroc and Brussels Airlines
• Freetown (Sierra Leone) : Royal Air Maroc and Brussels Airlines
• Conakry (Guinea) : Royal Air Maroc, Brussels Airlines and Air France.
Important information
As the recent case of a returning health care worker to Scotland who later proved positive for Ebola demonstrates,
despite best efforts, airport and immigration screening for Ebola patients is not perfect. If the traveler is having
early symptoms and no fever at the time of screening, it is still possible he will pass airport security without being
identified. It is important to alert travelers returning from Ebola affected countries to remain vigilant about
warning signs of Ebola and to monitor their temperature twice a day. If they have any concerns, they should
strictly limit contact with other individuals and contact local health authorities immediately to receive proper
medical attention.
This new Health Update contains up-to-date statistics relating to the evolution of the outbreak.
On behalf of all of the teams at AXA Assistance, I would like to extend my best wishes to you for the New Year.
Dr Cai Glushak
International Chief Medical Officer
2/5Ebola Outbreak
Health Update - 9 January 2015
Information for our clients
Dear Clients,
We are ensuring that a detailed list of client presence in the subregion (Guinea, Sierra Leone, Liberia,
Ghama, Mali, Senegal, Ivory Coast) is maintained and updated regularly.
This proactive approach has already enabled us to be reactive during an evacuation of a non-Ebola case in
the region. As we aim to to provide oustanding service to our clients, it is imperative that we know
exactly how many employees are currently posted in high-risk areas.
It is highly recommended to detailed updates about your employees in affected areas to your local AXA
Assistance contact. We will ensure that this information is communicated to all relevant operations
teams.
Thank you for your cooperation.
AXA Assistance Operations
3/5Ebola Outbreak
Health Update - 9 January 2015
Evolution of the epidemic
Reported cases up to 5 January 2014
Suspected and confirmed cases: 20 381
Deaths: 7 989
Laboratory Confirmed cases: 13 021
Senegal and Nigeria
Both Senegal and Nigeria were declared Ebola-free by the WHO on the 17th and 19th of October
2014, respectively.
A country is declared Ebola-free 42 days (twice the maximum incubation period for Ebola Virus
Disease) after the last infected patient has tested negative for the virus.
4/5Ebola Outbreak
Health Update - 9 January 2015
Reported cases up to 5 January 2015
Guinea
Suspected and confirmed cases : 2 730
Deaths: 1 739
Laboratory Confirmed cases: 2 435
Sierra Leone
Suspected and confirmed cases: 9 633
Deaths: 2 827
Laboratory Confirmed cases: 7 476
Liberia
Suspected and confirmed cases: 8 018
Deaths: 3 423
Laboratory Confirmed cases: 3 110
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