Stephen Gire, a researcher at Harvard University, delivers laboratory safety equipment and reagents to the Kenema Government Hospital. Source: LA Times
We recently shared an article about the daunting and dangerous tasks faced by the brave team responsible for burying those who have died from the deadly Ebola virus. Unfortunately, it has now been confirmed that a new outbreak in Sierra Leone is linked to contamination during a victim’s funeral in Guinea. This is the second report of spread due to a funeral. In early August, officials indicated that 14 victims had contracted the disease at the funeral of a baby in Uganda.
A new report issued on August 29th, 2014 by the World Health Organization, officially confirmed that funerals were to blame for Ebola’s rapid spread in certain areas.
Stephen Gire and other health researchers on the ground in Africa had some hope that the Ebola outbreak was coming under control or at least plateauing in late May. Then came the funeral of a healer in Guinea. More than a dozen of the mourners contracted the disease there, probably by washing or touching the body, and took it to Sierra Leone, according to a new genetic mapping of the Ebola virus that scientists hope will help them understand what makes this killer tick.
Read the full story: One Funeral Then Ebola Outbreak Spread Like Wildfire
Today Senegal reported its first confirmed Ebola case. The victim, a student from Guinea, was identified during a health screening. He is currently under quarantine and is not reported to be showing symptoms. The appearance of this case has prompted Senegal to close its border with Guinea and cancel incoming flights from the country. Despite the aggressive measures taken by the Senegal to thwart spread of the disease, global health organizations are concerned since this is the first case reported in a new country since July.
WHO map showing location of cases throughout the countries with the most intense Ebola transmission.
In a compelling interview which recently aired on PBS Newshour, Hari Sreenivasan talks with Harvard University’s Stephen Gire on his experience working on the front lines of the Ebola outbreak in Sierra Leone. Mr. Gire is a member of the Ebola genome mapping team. Listen to the interview: Ebola Outbreak Started at Funeral in Guinea.
More than 500 new cases of Ebola were recorded this week alone — the highest increase since the outbreak began. The World Health Organization released it’s (sic) first roadmap update today. These reports will track efforts to contain the disease and where new cases are emerging.
Read the full story: First Ebola case reported in Senegal as virus spread picks up speed
Read the full World Health Organization Ebola Response Roadmap report here.
