Ebola virus outbreak

RobYourBuilder · 13-11-2014 09:20PM

Some good news from Liberia.

Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has lifted the state of emergency imposed to control an Ebola outbreak that has ravaged the country.

She said the move did not mean "the fight is over", although numbers of new infections were no longer increasing.

The confirmed death toll from the virus is now 5,160 people, almost all of them from Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone.

Meanwhile, clinical trials to find an effective treatment for Ebola are due to start in West Africa next month.

The medical charity Medicins Sans Frontieres (MSF), which has been helping lead the fight against the virus, says three of its treatment centres will host three separate research projects.

'New hotspots'

In nationwide address, President Johnson Sirleaf said that night curfews would be reduced and weekly markets could take place across Liberia.

She added that preparations were being made for the re-opening of schools.

The state of emergency imposed in August had allowed the local authorities to curb movement in the worst-hit areas of the country, including the capital Monrovia.

The lifting of the emergency comes after the World Health Organization (WHO) said "there is some evidence that case incidence is no longer increasing nationally in Guinea and Liberia".

However, some reports suggest that new fresh hotspots have emerged in Liberia, the Associated Press reports.

'Hope for patients'

In a separate development, MSF announced the new clinical trials: two in Guinea and another one in an unconfirmed location.

One trial will involve using the blood of recovered Ebola patients to treat sick people in the Guinean capital Conakry.

"This is an unprecedented international partnership which represents hope for patients to finally get a real treatment," said MSF spokeswoman Dr Annick Antierens.

About 400 people will take part in the trials, and they will be extended to other centres if the early results - expected in February 2015 - are promising.

The WHO announced in September that experimental treatments and vaccines for Ebola should be fast-tracked.

Two experimental vaccines, produced by GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) and the Public Health Agency of Canada, have already been fast-tracked into safety trials.

The GSK vaccine is being tested in Mali, the UK and the US. Research on the Canadian vaccine is also under way in the US.

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-30044418

ceadaoin. · 14-11-2014 12:35AM

ProfessorPlum wrote: »

Yes, agree education and self monitoring would appear to be the way to go rather than wasting money on airport screening and forcibly quarantining well people without good reason.

Quite worrying news out of Mali regarding the recent deaths there. There seems to have been either a degree if complacency or perhaps denial which resulted in further spread of the virus.

I think it has the potential to become a large outbreak in Mali. There are now 5 confirmed infections there. I'm sure there will be more as the original patient wasn't even tested and went on to have a traditional burial where he was laid out in a mosque with people visiting to pay their respects. A lot of his family members in guinea have already died.

I know that Liberia has had some success with posters and billboards educating people about ebola. The literacy rate in Mali is only 33% though so a campaign like that would have limited reach.

Akrasia · 14-11-2014 08:17AM

RobYourBuilder wrote: »

Some good news from Liberia.

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-30044418

I'm not sure how good this. Just because the rate of infection is lowering in Liberia doesn't mean the emergency is over, in fact, it is highly likely that the reason why the RO is down is because of the measures introduced as part of the state of emergency.

Akrasia · 14-11-2014 08:28AM

Mali has had an outbreak of ebola because an Islamic Imam contracted the disease in Guinea, travelled to Mali for treatment, and after he died, he was given the traditional burial practise of washing his corpse at a large mosque in Mali 'because of his status'

Now a nurse has died from ebola, several of the Imams family members are dying, a friend of the Imam died of suspected ebola, a doctor is being treated for ebola. The Imam's daughter died and his family 'refused a safe burial' so the likelyhood is, that the daughter's corpse has also infected multiple other people too

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/13/health/mali-reports-a-second-larger-ebola-outbreak.html?_r=0

The first case of Ebola in Mali involved one little girl who sadly died. This outbreak is going to be much more difficult to contain because there is no way ot tracing how many people will have had direct contact with the body of the Imam while he was in the Mosque.

Despite the global attention Ebola has been given, and despite the fact that these countries Guinea and Mali are on the direct front line of the crisis, there has been an inability to identify the symptoms of ebola. This is probably because there are multiple other diseases that are more common which have similar symptoms.

If the religious practises of washing and handling the corpse before burial are continued in this region, what hope is there that ebola will ever be contained?

MadYaker · 15-11-2014 01:20PM

Mind boggling how these people can still do something like washing the body of an ebola victim after all that has happened.

ceadaoin. · 15-11-2014 04:46PM

MadYaker wrote: »

Mind boggling how these people can still do something like washing the body of an ebola victim after all that has happened.

They didn't know he had ebola. It's mind boggling that it wasn't suspected at all really after he had travelled from an affected area.

Gael23 · 15-11-2014 09:33PM

Ebola seems to no longer be a newsworthy story, which is disappointing.

wildefalcon · 16-11-2014 01:11PM

ryanf1 wrote: »

Ebola seems to no longer be a newsworthy story, which is disappointing.

Personally, I'm glad. Glad to see the back of that terrible disease.

MadYaker · 16-11-2014 01:36PM

wildefalcon wrote: »

Personally, I'm glad. Glad to see the back of that terrible disease.

It's still a huge issue! Just because the western media have moved on doesn't mean it's all solved! Christ almighty.

wildefalcon · 16-11-2014 03:35PM

MadYaker wrote: »

It's still a huge issue! Just because the western media have moved on doesn't mean it's all solved! Christ almighty.

I know it hasn't been solved, but it's being managed, the number of new cases is reducing, the organisations that can do most on the ground are in place.

Sure, it's not solved, but it ISN'T going to be a world threatening plague, it ISN'T even a regional disaster, it's just yet another nasty disease in Africa. There are a number of vaccines that show promise, and, with a little luck, this time next year it will just be a bad memory for all the survivors.

So, no longer a major threat to humanity, no longer a story. More people died in Europe from flu and pneumonia in the last 3 months that have ever died of Ebola.

So it isn't a huge issue, unless you are directly effected.

Perhaps it's time for less histrionics, and time for more analysis, and maybe even a concerted effort by the developed world to ensure the leaders of the poorest countries in the world are encouraged to implement and fund basic health and education systems, rather than building new palaces or buying fighter jets. Sanctions against individuals were used when the Russians invaded Ukraine, why not against Leaders that squander and steal their countries funds to the detriment of the very poorest?

WakeUp · 17-11-2014 01:59AM

wildefalcon wrote: »

I know it hasn't been solved, but it's being managed, the number of new cases is reducing, the organisations that can do most on the ground are in place.

Sure, it's not solved, but it ISN'T going to be a world threatening plague, it ISN'T even a regional disaster, it's just yet another nasty disease in Africa. There are a number of vaccines that show promise, and, with a little luck, this time next year it will just be a bad memory for all the survivors.

So, no longer a major threat to humanity, no longer a story. More people died in Europe from flu and pneumonia in the last 3 months that have ever died of Ebola.

So it isn't a huge issue, unless you are directly effected.

Perhaps it's time for less histrionics, and time for more analysis, and maybe even a concerted effort by the developed world to ensure the leaders of the poorest countries in the world are encouraged to implement and fund basic health and education systems, rather than building new palaces or buying fighter jets. Sanctions against individuals were used when the Russians invaded Ukraine, why not against Leaders that squander and steal their countries funds to the detriment of the very poorest?

Being managed would really depend on how you define it as there are many cases going unreported and its far from under control. that isnt histrionics its just how it is and it is a regional crisis that will get worse before it improves. still dont see how ebola can be compared to the flu or pneumonia or something like that. I mean if you are going to compare ebola to something it would be better comparing it to something that unlike flu or whatever has a 70% chance of killing you in a fairly painful and scary kind of way. like sneaking up behind a grizzly bear with a blindfold on and trying to hump him. that has about a 70% chance or more of ending bad for you in a really painful scary kind of way. I read somewhere that NY spent nearly 20 million dollars treating one case and monitoring contacts. one case. all in all things are still on and its no time to be complacent. unfortunately it still needs watching closely. agree with your comments though about corruption and that and making sure money donated reaches the people it should be reaching.

Miike · 17-11-2014 03:47AM

WakeUp wrote: »

Being managed would really depend on how you define it as there are many cases going unreported and its far from under control. that isnt histrionics its just how it is and it is a regional crisis that will get worse before it improves. still dont see how ebola can be compared to the flu or pneumonia or something like that. I mean if you are going to compare ebola to something it would be better comparing it to something that unlike flu or whatever has a 70% chance of killing you in a fairly painful and scary kind of way. like sneaking up behind a grizzly bear with a blindfold on and trying to hump him. that has about a 70% chance or more of ending bad for you in a really painful scary kind of way. I read somewhere that NY spent nearly 20 million dollars treating one case and monitoring contacts. one case. all in all things are still on and its no time to be complacent. unfortunately it still needs watching closely. agree with your comments though about corruption and that and making sure money donated reaches the people it should be reaching.

20 million dollars for one case? I think you might be a tad confused.

ceadaoin. · 17-11-2014 04:42AM

Miike wrote: »

20 million dollars for one case? I think you might be a tad confused.

Yep. It's true. According to a NY senator anyway

In New York, which diagnosed its first Ebola case last month, the price tag has been steep, Schumer said.
The city has spent about $20 million so far to quarantine and treat Dr. Craig Spencer, trace his contacts and make sure the disease doesn't spread, according to Schumer, a Democrat.

http://www.cnn.com/2014/11/16/politics/new-york-ebola-cost/

Miike · 17-11-2014 04:45AM

ceadaoin. wrote: »

Yep. It's true. According to a NY senator anyway

http://www.cnn.com/2014/11/16/politics/new-york-ebola-cost/

I still struggle to believe 20 million, I don't know why. For a single case?! Seems majorly excessive. I stand corrected mind you

Canis Lupus · 17-11-2014 09:02AM

Miike wrote: »

I still struggle to believe 20 million, I don't know why. For a single case?! Seems majorly excessive. I stand corrected mind you

Pffft... You should see the bills Americans get for going to hospital for simple sh*t never mind treating someone with ebola. Just google and be alarmed.

Beano · 17-11-2014 11:51AM

Miike wrote: »

I still struggle to believe 20 million, I don't know why. For a single case?! Seems majorly excessive. I stand corrected mind you

Thats $20M us government dollars. about 100 quid in real money.

ceadaoin. · 17-11-2014 05:22PM

The latest person to be brought back to the US for treatment has died. The doctor, from Sierra Leone, was in a very serious condition by the time he was transferred. It does seem that early treatment is key to survival.

A surgeon who contracted Ebola while working in Sierra Leone, Dr. Martin Salia, died Monday while being treated in a biocontainment center in Omaha.

“It is with an extremely heavy heart that we share this news,” said Dr. Philip Smith, the medical director of the biocontainment unit at the Nebraska Medical Center. “Dr. Salia was extremely critical when he arrived here, and unfortunately, despite our best efforts, we weren’t able to save him.”

Dr. Salia, who is a citizen of Sierra Leone but lives in Maryland, had been working as a general surgeon at Kissy United Methodist Hospital in Sierra Leone’s capital, Freetown. It was not clear where he had come in contact with Ebola patients. Five other doctors in Sierra Leone have contracted Ebola; all have died.

A hospital spokeswoman, Taylor Wilson, said that Dr. Salia died about 4 a.m. Monday. He came down with symptoms of the virus on Nov. 6 but initially tested negative. He tested positive a week ago.

In a statement, the hospital said that Dr. Salia was suffering from advanced symptoms of Ebola, including kidney and respiratory failure, when he arrived on Saturday. Treatments, the statement said, included kidney dialysis and ventilation as well as a blood plasma transfusion from a patient who has recovered from Ebola and an experimental drug, ZMapp.

snubbleste · 27-11-2014 01:18PM

5000+ people confirmed dead so far
shows no signs of abating.

ceadaoin. · 29-11-2014 06:32PM

Over 16,000 confirmed cases in West Africa now and almost 7000 deaths. The news coverage of this has tailed off but it is far from over.

The number of people killed by the Ebola outbreak in West Africa has risen to 6,928, the World Health Organisation (WHO) says.

The toll has increased by over 1,000 since the WHO's last report on Wednesday, but it includes unreported deaths from earlier in the outbreak.

Experts say the infection rate is more significant that the death toll, as it reflects how the virus is spreading.

Infection rates are decreasing in Liberia, but are high in Sierra Leone.

There have been over 16,000 reported cases in Guinea, Sierra and Liberia.

http://www.bbc.com/news/health-30260532

03-12-2014 02:01PM

Spain given the all clear by the WHO yesterday

http://reliefweb.int/report/spain/who-congratulates-spain-ending-ebola-transmission

Thrill · 29-12-2014 06:55PM

Scottish Government Confirms Ebola Diagnosed In Glasgow Patient

A healthcare worker who recently returned from West Africa has been diagnosed with Ebola and is being treated in hospital in Glasgow

http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-30628349

snubbleste · 29-12-2014 06:57PM

Thrill wrote: »

Scottish Government Confirms Ebola Diagnosed In Glasgow Patient http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-30628349

SkyNews are sending Kay Burley :cool:

Saipanne · 29-12-2014 06:58PM

Are we all dead yet?

Cantona's Collars · 29-12-2014 06:59PM

Thrill wrote: »

Scottish Government Confirms Ebola Diagnosed In Glasgow Patient

http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-30628349

Irn Bru & whiskey should kill it.

PucaMama · 29-12-2014 07:01PM

Thrill wrote: »

Scottish Government Confirms Ebola Diagnosed In Glasgow Patient

http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-30628349

late xmas present for me :cool: the potential to go global would be fun

Tugboats · 29-12-2014 07:05PM

Helicopters, bin lorries, Celtic and now Ebola. Poor Glasgow...

PizzamanIRL · 29-12-2014 07:05PM

PucaMama wrote: »

late xmas present for me :cool: the potential to go global would be fun

Disturbing.

ceadaoin. · 29-12-2014 07:06PM

It says she only arrived back in Glasgow from Sierra Leone on Sunday night and has already been diagnosed. She must have pretty much gone straight to hospital then. I wonder what stage she is at and how sick she is to be diagnosed so quickly.

Iranoutofideas · 29-12-2014 07:07PM

PucaMama wrote: »

late xmas present for me :cool: the potential to go global would be fun

The fcuk is your major malfunction?

porsche959 · 29-12-2014 07:26PM

BREAKING: The British healthworker, with Ebola, is a nurse who worked at the British built Kerrytown Ebola hospital run by Save the Children

Ebola virus outbreak

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