Monday, October 13, 2014

2014 Ebola virus epidemic in Liberia

I'm sharing this because Liberia is a worst case Scenario at present of what can happen with Ebola. Local Customs and the lack of medical educations among common people and a lack of Western Medicine types of discipline in monitoring and isolating potentially infected people caused the results in Liberia. Could this happen in other countries? This is an open question at present. The likely answer is that the more medically disciplined a country is the less cases of Ebola it will have to deal with. However, the people of the country would have to cooperate with the medical discipline as well. Even one person that the medical community doesn't know about could spread this disease either knowingly or unknowingly which is what actually what makes Ebola more scary potentially for the world.
2014 Ebola virus epidemic in Liberia

Ebola virus epidemic in Liberia

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Articles related to the
Ebola virus epidemic in
West Africa
Ebola virus virion.jpg
Background articles
Overview
Affected nations
The West African nation of Liberia is currently afflicted by an epidemic of Ebola virus disease (EVD), along with the neighbouring countries of Guinea and Sierra Leone. The disease was discovered in late March 2014.[1] Ebola is a biosafety level four pathogen, an RNA virus first discovered in 1976.[2]
Before the Ebola epidemic, Liberia had 50 doctors for its population of 4.3 million, weakened from a civil war that ended in 2003.[3]

Ebola's spread

New cases from 2 July 2014 to 20 August 2014 in Liberia
The reported weekly cases of Ebola in Liberia as listed on Wikipedia Ebola virus epidemic in West Africa; some values are interpolated.
Transmission is believed to be by contact with the blood and body fluids of those infected with the virus, as well as by handling raw bushmeat such as bats and monkeys, which are important sources of protein in West Africa. Infectious body fluids include blood, sweat, semen, breast milk, saliva, tears, feces, urine, vaginal secretions, vomit, and diarrhea. [4]
Even after a successful recovery from an Ebola infection, semen may contain the virus for at least two months.[5] Breast milk may contain the virus for two weeks after recovery, and transmission of the disease to a consumer of the breast milk may be possible.[6] By October 2014 it was suspected that handling a piece of contaminated paper may be enough to contract the disease.[7]
The corpses are highly contagious immediately after death, so precautions such as hazmat suits are needed.[8] In this region the practice of kissing and touching the dead has been implicated in helping to spread Ebola.[9] However, two U.S. doctors who "followed all CDC and WHO protocols to the letter" still managed to contract the disease and it is not clear how they got the disease.[10]

September

As of 29 September 2014, there were 3458 cases reported, 1830 total deaths, and 914 lab confirmed cases.[11] For comparison, Lassa fever is estimated to kill about 5000 people a year in West Africa,[12] and in Western countries, medical mistakes kill between 44,000 to 400,000 people a year.[13]
On 25 September Liberia's chief medical official went on a self-enforced quarantine after she was potentially exposed to the Ebola virus.[14] By the 29th of September 2014, it was announced she tested negative for Ebola, but government officials praised her for following the self quarantine rules.[15]
In late September 2014 Ivory Coast resumed flights to Liberia which had been suspended since 11 August 2014.[16]
On 30 September 2014 a person was discovered in a Texas hospital who contracted Ebola in Liberia and traveled to the United States.[17] (see 2014 Ebola virus case in the United States)

October

In early October, the president continued to ask for more aid to fight against Ebola.[18] Liberia also enacted restrictions on journalistic coverage.[19]
In early October a U.S. television network's cameraman was diagnosed with Ebola.[20]
On 2 October 2014, a new 60-bed clinic was opened in Kenema.[21] However, the outbreak was described as being out of control and an exponential growth in cases was expected, with a focus on slowing the outbreak down.[22] One problem is that the health care establishments are overwhelmed, so even when those infected come to a hospital they are often turned away and go on to infect others.[23]
On 3 October 2014 medical supplies arrived from Germany, which cared for two evacuated Ebola cases in Germany by that date.[24] On that same day GERLIB opened up an Ebola isolation ward at its 48-bed facility in Paynesville (Monrovia).[25]

Monrovia

A map of Liberia showing the location of Monrovia, its capital
The disease has been noted to be spreading in Monrovia, the nation's capital.[26] There are about 1 million people in the city.[27]

Redemption Hospital

Redemption Hospital is a health care facility in New Kru Town somewhat west of Monrovia in Liberia.[28] It is a state-run institution that offers free health care in New Kru Town.[29]
The first deaths from Ebola in Monrovia occurred by June 17, 2014 when seven died from Ebola.[30] The dead included a nurse along with some from her household.[31] The nurse was treated at Redemption Hospital located west of Monrovia.[32] At the time there were about 16 cases reported in Liberia overall.[33]
By 2 July 2014 a doctor at the hospital, the head surgeon, died from Ebola.[34] At this time they then shut down Redemption Hospital and distributed its patients to other facilities in the area.[35] The Redemption Hospital doctor who died was being treated at the JFK Medical Center (also in Monrovia).[36]

West Point quarantine (Aug 19-30)

A view of the West Point area
On 18 August, a mob of residents from West Point, an impoverished area of Monrovia, descended upon a local Ebola clinic to protest its presence. The protesters turned violent, threatening the caretakers, removing the infected patients, and looting the clinic of its supplies, including blood-stained bed sheets and mattresses. Police and aid workers expressed fear that this would lead to mass infections of Ebola in West Point.[37][38]
On 19 August, the Liberian government quarantined the entirety of West Point and issued a curfew state-wide.[39][40] Violence again broke out on 22 August after the military fired on protesting crowds.[41] The quarantine blockade of the West Point area was lifted on 30 August. The Information Minister, Lewis Brown, said that this step was taken to ease efforts to screen, test, and treat residents.[42]

Treatment

By late September there were three clinics in Monrovia, but it was an increasingly common occurrence to have patients waiting and even passing away outside because the clinics had run out of space.[43] If patients cannot get a bed in the clinic they sometimes wait in holding centers until a bed opens up.[44]
There are additional cases in Monrovia where the bodies are dumped into the river.[45] City inhabitants have tried to spread knowledge about Ebola, especially the importance of not touching those that are sick or dead from Ebola.[46] (This is the first outbreak in Liberia.) Sanitation is a struggle in some parts of the city, with estimates that there are four public toilets in West Point, Monrovia.[47] The beach surrounding West Point is often used as a lavatory, but it is also a source for drinking water, and the fish from the water are taken for food.[47]
One woman used trash bags to protect herself as she cared for four other family members ill with Ebola.[48] Her father became ill in late July 2014, but they could not find a place of treatment for him and ended up doing home-care.[49]

Island Clinic

On 20 September, Liberia opened a new 150-bed treatment unit clinic in Monrovia. At the opening ceremony of the Old Island Clinic on Bushrod Island six ambulances were already waiting with potential patients. More patients were waiting by the clinic after making their way on foot with the help of relatives.[50] Two days later 112 beds were already filled with 46 patients testing positive for Ebola, while the rest were admitted for observation.[51] This expanded the number of beds in the city beyond 240.[52] 100 construction workers worked multiple shift for three weeks to get the clinic open, but its capacity was exceeded in 24 hours.[53] The term bed here is not just a bed, but implies the staff and logistics to take care of a patient with right precautions.[54]
One source says it opened on 21 September 2014 with a 100-bed capacity.[55]
One of the other clinics in Monrovia is a 160-bed facility by Doctors Without Borders.[56]
JFK is another treatment center, and could hold 35 beds but expanded to 75 because of the demand.[57]

List of counties affected by EVD

Counties with EVD cases as of 29 September 2014:[58] By early September there were cases in 14 of 15 of Liberia's counties.[59]
  • Bomi
  • Bong
  • Gbarpolu
  • Grand Bassa
  • Grand Cape Mount
  • Lofa
  • Margibi County
  • Montserrado
  • Nimba
  • River Cess
  • River Gee
  • Sinoe

Map

A map of Liberia, showing Liberian counties and major cities

Evacuations

On 5 August 2014, the Brothers Hospitallers of St. John of God confirmed that Brother Miguel Pajares had been infected. He was volunteering in Liberia. The Spanish military helped with his transfer on 6 August 2014.[60] Authorities stated he would be treated in the 'Carlos III' hospital in Madrid. This attracted controversy, amid questions as to the authorities' ability to guarantee no risk of transmission.[61] Brother Pajares died from the virus on 12 August.[62]
Kent Brantly, a physician and medical director in Liberia for the aid group Samaritan’s Purse, and co-worker Nancy Writebol were infected while working in Monrovia.[63][64][65] Both were flown to the United States at the beginning of August for further treatment.[66] On 21 August, Brantly and Writebol recovered and were discharged.[67]
A French volunteer health worker, working for MSF in Liberia, contracted EVD and was flown to France on 18 September 2014. She is being treated at a military hospital. French Health Minister Marisol Touraine stated the nurse will receive an experimental drug, favipiravir.[68] By 4 October 2014 she had recovered and was released from the hospital.[69]
After a news-network's cameraman came down with Ebola, he was evacuated to the U.S. and the rest of the crew also returned and went into quarantine.[70]

Popular culture

"Ebola in Town", a dance tune by a group of West African rappers warning people of the dangers of the Ebola virus and explaining how to react, became popular in Guinea and Liberia during the first quarter of 2014.[71][72]
In August 2014, George Weah and Ghanaian musician Sidney produced a song to raise awareness about Ebola.[73]
There are a number of Ebola-themed jokes circulating in West Africa to spread awareness.[74]

See also

References

  1. 2 of 5 Test Positive for Ebola in Liberia, Liberian Observer, 31 March 2014, retrieved 6 July 2014
  2. statement (26 September 2014). "http://www.who.int/mediacentre/news/ebola/26-september-2014/en/". WHO. Retrieved 28 September 2014.
  3. "Ebola-hit Liberia on brink of societal collapse – experts". Rappler. Retrieved 1 October 2014.
  4. http://jid.oxfordjournals.org/content/196/Supplement_2/S142.full Assessment of the Risk of Ebola Virus Transmission from Bodily Fluids and Fomites
  5. "Can You Get Ebola from Sex?". LiveScience.com. Retrieved 30 September 2014.
  6. Daniel G. Bausch. "Assessment of the Risk of Ebola Virus Transmission from Bodily Fluids and Fomites". Retrieved 4 October 2014.
  7. "Ebola Toll In West Africa Is Likely Hugely Underestimated". The Huffington Post. 3 October 2014. Retrieved 4 October 2014.
  8. "Forced cremation a final indignity in Ebola-stricken Liberia". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved 1 October 2014.
  9. "Kissing corpses is helping spread Ebola, expert says". Washington Post. Retrieved 1 October 2014.
  10. Maggie Fox. "Two Americans Stricken With Deadly Ebola Virus in Liberia". NBC News. Retrieved 1 October 2014.
  11. "Ebola in Liberia - At a Glance". Retrieved 1 October 2014.
  12. Ogbu O, Ajuluchukwu E, Uneke CJ (2007). "Lassa fever in West African sub-region: an overview". Journal of vector borne diseases 44 (1): 1–11. PMID 17378212.
  13. John Tozzi. "Scarier Than Ebola: Human Error". Businessweek.com. Retrieved 6 October 2014.
  14. "Liberia's top medical officer is in quarantine". CNN. 27 September 2014. Retrieved 1 October 2014.
  15. "Liberia's Top Medical Officer Under Self-Imposed Ebola Quarantine". allAfrica.com. Retrieved 1 October 2014.
  16. "Liberia: Ivory Coast to Resume Air Traffic to Ebola-Hit Nations". allAfrica.com. Retrieved 1 October 2014.
  17. "First case of Ebola diagnosed in US: health officials". Retrieved 1 October 2014.
  18. "Liberia's Ellen Johnson Sirleaf says Ebola was like 'unknown enemy'". 2 October 2014. Retrieved 4 October 2014.
  19. "Liberia imposes media restrictions on 'invasive' Ebola coverage". Retrieved 4 October 2014.
  20. "NBC News cameraman diagnosed with Ebola in Liberia". 3 October 2014. Retrieved 4 October 2014.
  21. "Counting the days following an Ebola mission to Sierra Leone - See more at: http://www.ifrc.org/en/news-and-media/news-stories/africa/sierra-leone/counting-the-days-following-an-ebola-mission-to-sierra-leone-by-helena-humphrey-ifrc-67290/#sthash.Ng7usv9f.dpuf". Retrieved 4 October 2014.
  22. "Liberia braces for worst as Ebola death toll jumps". Business Insider. 9 September 2014. Retrieved 6 October 2014.
  23. "Liberia braces for worst as Ebola death toll jumps". Business Insider. 9 September 2014. Retrieved 6 October 2014.
  24. "Germany's first Ebola aid arrives in Liberia". DW.DE. Retrieved 6 October 2014.
  25. "GERLIB Clinic Sets Up Ebola Isolation Center". Retrieved 6 October 2014.
  26. "Aid workers fight as they go". News24. Retrieved 1 October 2014.
  27. "Ebola-hit Liberia on brink of societal collapse – experts". Rappler. Retrieved 1 October 2014.
  28. "Liberia: Ebola Kills Doctor At Redemption Hospital". allAfrica.com. Retrieved 6 October 2014.
  29. "Why Patients Aren't Coming To Liberia's Redemption Hospital". NPR.org. 27 August 2014. Retrieved 6 October 2014.
  30. "Seven die in Monrovia Ebola outbreak". BBC News. Retrieved 6 October 2014.
  31. "Seven die in Monrovia Ebola outbreak". BBC News. Retrieved 6 October 2014.
  32. "Seven die in Monrovia Ebola outbreak". BBC News. Retrieved 6 October 2014.
  33. "Ebola Deaths Turn Redemption Hospital into Ghost Town". Retrieved 6 October 2014.
  34. "Liberia: Ebola Kills Doctor At Redemption Hospital". allAfrica.com. Retrieved 6 October 2014.
  35. "Liberia: Ebola Kills Doctor At Redemption Hospital". allAfrica.com. Retrieved 6 October 2014.
  36. "Liberia: Ebola Kills Doctor At Redemption Hospital". allAfrica.com. Retrieved 6 October 2014.
  37. "Liberian mob attacks Ebola clinic; dozens of patients missing | The Rundown | PBS NewsHour". Pbs.org. Retrieved 2014-08-23.
  38. Johnathan Paye-Layleh, Associated Press (2014-08-17). "Ebola fears heightened in Liberia as clinic looted". Usatoday.com. Retrieved 2014-08-23.
  39. "Liberian Soldiers Seal Slum to Halt Ebola". NBC News. 2014-08-09. Retrieved 2014-08-23.
  40. By Clair MacDougall and James Harding Giahyue. "Liberia police fire on protesters as West Africa's Ebola toll hits 1,350". Reuters. Retrieved 2014-08-23.
  41. "Last Ebola-free region of Liberia falls to virus". News 24. 23 August 2014. Retrieved 23 August 2014.
  42. "Liberian Ebola survivor calls for quick production of experimental drug". Global News. 30 August 2014. Retrieved 30 August 2014.
  43. "'I have never seen this number of bodies before': Life at an Ebola clinic in Liberia". Telegraph.co.uk. 24 September 2014. Retrieved 1 October 2014.
  44. "Ebola clinics fill up as Liberia awaits aid". The Clinton Herald, Clinton, Iowa. Retrieved 1 October 2014.
  45. "Ebola cases estimated to hit 1.4 million by mid-January". WJLA. Retrieved 1 October 2014.
  46. "'Ebola Is Real' on Streets of Monrovia". Telegraph.co.uk. 24 September 2014. Retrieved 1 October 2014.
  47. Africa water atlas. UNEP/Earthprint. 2010. p. 255. ISBN 978-92-807-3110-1. Retrieved 30 March 2013.
  48. "Woman saves three relatives from Ebola". CNN. 25 September 2014. Retrieved 6 October 2014.
  49. "Woman saves three relatives from Ebola". CNN. 25 September 2014. Retrieved 6 October 2014.
  50. "Liberia: 120-Bed Ebola Treatment Center Opens in Liberia". All Africa. 22 September 2014. Retrieved 22 September 2014.
  51. "Streets bustling after Sierra Leone shutdown ends". The Washington Post. 22 September 2014. Retrieved 22 September 2014.
  52. "Liberia: Ebola clinic fills up within hours of opening". Retrieved 1 October 2014.
  53. "Liberia: Ebola clinic fills up within hours of opening". Retrieved 1 October 2014.
  54. "Liberia: Ebola clinic fills up within hours of opening". Retrieved 1 October 2014.
  55. "Powering The Ebola Response: Monrovia’s Island Clinic". Retrieved 1 October 2014.
  56. "Beds scarce, staff scarcer, in Liberia's overrun Ebola wards". Jamaica Observer. Retrieved 1 October 2014.
  57. "Liberia: JFK Ebola Unit Beyond Capacity - Patients Lying On Floor". allAfrica.com. Retrieved 1 October 2014.
  58. "Ebola in Liberia". Retrieved 1 October 2014.
  59. "Liberia's Ebola problem far worse than imagined, says WHO". Retrieved 1 October 2014.
  60. "Ebola patient's husband feels 'the comfort of God'". CNN. Retrieved 8 August 2014.
  61. "Ebola: Spanish missionary infected with virus in Liberia flown to Spain". The Guardian. 7 August 2014. Retrieved 8 August 2014.
  62. "Muere el religioso español Miguel Pajares a causa del ébola". RTVE. 12 August 2014. Retrieved 12 August 2014.
  63. "Two Americans Stricken With Deadly Ebola Virus in Liberia". 28 July 2014. Retrieved 2 August 2014.
  64. "Ebola outbreak: U.S. missionary Nancy Writebol leaves Liberia Tuesday". 4 August 2014. Retrieved 4 August 2014.
  65. "Ebola drug likely saved American patients". CNN.com. 8 August 2014. Retrieved 8 August 2014.
  66. Steenhuysen, Julie. "Ebola patient coming to U.S. as aid workers' health worsens". MSN News. Retrieved 1 August 2014.
  67. "American Ebola doc: 'I am thrilled to be alive'". Retrieved 21 August 2014.
  68. "France's First Ebola Patient to Get Experimental Drug". The Wall Street Journal. 19 September 2014. Retrieved 20 September 2014.
  69. "French nurse cured of Ebola". RFI. Retrieved 6 October 2014.
  70. "NBC News’s Dr. Nancy Snyderman of Princeton to Be Quarantined after Ebola Exposure". Retrieved 6 October 2014.
  71. Monica Mark (27 May 2014). "Ebola virus causes outbreak of infectious dance tune". The Guardian.
  72. Mike Pflanz (28 May 2014). "Ebola rap warns West Africans of virus's dangers". Daily Telegraph.
  73. "Liberian soccer star George Weah records Ebola song". Capital Group Limited. 12 August 2014. Retrieved 19 August 2014.
  74. "Tell Me the One About Ebola: How Jokes Spread Awareness". Bloomberg. Retrieved 31 August 2014.

External links

This page was last modified on 13 October 2014 at 07:11.
end quote from:
2014 Ebola virus epidemic in Liberia
Posted by at
Labels:

No comments:

Post a Comment

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)