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  • Sierra Leone: World Health Organization Declares African Country Free of Ebola

    Sierra Leone was deemed free of Ebola by the World Health Organization on Saturday. This means the nation has passed two incubation periods–a total of 42 days–with no outbreaks of the disease.

    Ebola has crippled the economy of Sierra Leone. The WHO announcement was broadcast over the radio on Saturday and included a story from a response worker who survived the disease.

    Tunis Yahya is the director of communications for Sierra Leone’s National Ebola Response Center. He said emotions are all over the place in response to the announcement.

    “It’s kind of like a mixed emotion,” the director explained. “People are happy, but also many are depressed because they lost their families.”

    Sierra Leone was the hardest hit of all countries during the Ebola outbreak that killed 4,000. 14,000 were infected with the disease.

    The nation will now begin a 90-day time of enhanced surveillance with the aim of quickly detecting any new cases of Ebola. The surveillance is in effect through February 5th.

    Celebrations are now planned across Sierra Leone. In addition to speeches from political and religious dignitaries, there will be dancing, singing, and a release of balloons.

    Word that Sierra Leone is now free of Ebola comes as a result of much medical intervention and as the answer to many prayers from all around the world. Hopefully this represents for those in Sierra Leone the beginning of much brighter days.

  • Sierra Leone: The Battle Against Ebola Rages On

    More than half of Sierra Leone’s population is under quarantine as the Ebola outbreak continues to cause deaths in the country. The outbreak has claimed more than 1,400 deaths so far, forcing the health ministry to mandate a strict lockdown for hundreds of thousands of citizens in the area.

    The Tonkolili District was the latest area to be sealed shut, allowing no one to leave or enter without official papers from the local government. The country’s efforts to end the outbreak started in September and has now sealed more than one million people inside their respective homes and communities. From the northern part in Bombali to the southern district of Moyamba, residents of the 6 districts under the quarantine are currently struggling with what little support that they are being given.

    The local government is still concerned about individuals who choose to ignore the mandated quarantine. Last week, Aminata Bangura, a fifteen year old teenager died of suspected Ebola. While the rest of her family was told to stay indoors, some members were reportedly ignoring the quarantine, choosing to go about their normal routines like running a local hairdressing business and attending the mosque.

    Godfrey Kamara, a local headmaster who is now an anti-Ebola campaigner, continues to remind his community about the precautions that they need to consider. “I’ve been house to house telling them not to touch bodies, but they still do it,” he said. “It’s not working. When they’re quarantined people should stay around and have security. And they still wash the dead.”

    At Freetown, the capital of Sierra Leone, Ebola burial teams collect about 60 deceased bodies from their daily routes. They treat every death as a suspicious case even if the person died of an accident or through natural causes. The burial teams were dispatched to collect bodies as some residents are still following traditional funeral rites, which involves washing the dead bodies. It has been reported by BBC that at least 20% of the new cases stemmed from this practice, causing the outbreak to spread further.

    Another problem lies at the lack of doctors and nurses who are working to manage the outbreak. Just last week, Dr. Komba Songu-M’briwa of the Hastings Ebola Treatment Center tested positive for Ebola. He pointed out the poor conditions of the understaffed center where he and his co-workers continued to treat and diagnose patients even with limited supplies.

    The country only had about 130 doctors serving almost 6 million people. They had already lost seven doctors to the deadly outbreak leaving Dr. M’briwa praying that he gets well. “It’s not going to stop me. I am not going to relent,” he said in an interview.

  • Saudi Arabian Man Suspected of Having Ebola Dies

    The Saudi Arabian Ministry of Health said that a citizen of that country who died Wednesday in Jeddah is suspected of having contracted Ebola while on a recent business trip to Sierra Leone.

    Saudi laboratories certified by the World Health Organization are testing blood samples from the deceased man for Ebola, as well as for other illnesses which cause the symptoms of viral hemorrhagic fever.

    Manifestation of Ebola begins with a sudden onset of an influenza-like stage characterized by general malaise, fever with chills and chest pain. Nausea, abdominal pain, diarrhea and vomiting are also common symptoms. Regarding the central nervous system, victims experience severe headaches, agitation, confusion, fatigue, depression, seizures and sometimes coma.

    Those who contract Ebola typically die of multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS) due to fluid redistribution, hypotension, weakened intravascular coagulation and focal tissue necrosis. The hemorrhaging that comes with the disease is typically not the cause of death.

    The health ministry is likewise tracking the businessman’s route of travel and assessing who he may have come into contact with. Saudi Arabia has suspended travel visas to West Africa to help prevent any further spread of the disease.

    Human-to-human transmission of Ebola occurs via direct contact with blood or bodily fluids from an infected person, or by contact with contaminated medical equipment such as needles. No cases of aerosol transmission have been reported, and a potential for widespread Ebola epidemics is considered to be low, due to the high fatality rate of the illness, along with the rapidity of the demise of patients.

    The Ebola outbreak in Sierra Leone, Liberia, Guinea and Nigeria is the largest recorded in history, and the disease has a mortality rate of up to 90 percent. So far, the outbreak has taken over 900 lives, and a vaccination is years away.

    Image via YouTube

  • Ebola Kills Doctor Who Treated Dozens

    Ebola Kills Doctor Who Treated Dozens

    Dr. Sheik Humarr Khan, who risked contracting Ebola to treat dozens of patients, succumbed to the deadly disease Tuesday, according to officials in Sierra Leone. Khan, who had been regarded as a national hero in his country, died while in a hospital under quarantine.

    Manifestation of Ebola begins with a sudden onset of an influenza-like stage characterized by general malaise, fever with chills and chest pain. Nausea, abdominal pain, diarrhea and vomiting are also common symptoms. Regarding the central nervous system, victims experience severe headaches, agitation, confusion, fatigue, depression, seizures and sometimes coma.

    Those who contract Ebola typically die of multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS) due to fluid redistribution, hypotension, weakened intravascular coagulation and focal tissue necroses. The hemorrhaging that comes with the disease is typically not the cause of death.

    Healthcare workers are especially susceptible to catching the Ebola virus.

    Here is an interesting Vice News documentary concerning the transmission of Ebola through eating bushmeat in Liberia:

    Human-to-human transmission of Ebola occurs via direct contact with blood or bodily fluids from an infected person, or by contact with contaminated medical equipment such as needles. No cases of aerosol transmission have been reported, and a potential for widespread Ebola epidemics is considered to be low, due to the high fatality rate of the illness, along with the rapidity of the demise of patients.

    The Ebola outbreak in Sierra Leone, Liberia, Guinea and Nigeria is the largest recorded in history, and the disease has a mortality rate of roughly 68 percent. So far, the outbreak has taken over 670 lives, and a vaccination is years away.

    Area flights have been restricted to stop the spread of the disease, and Binyah Kesselly, chairman of the Liberia Airport Authority board, said guards are now posted at the airport in Monrovia to enforce screening of passengers. “So if you have a flight and you are not complying with the rules, we will not allow you to board,” he said.

    Image via Wikimedia Commons

  • Ebola Outbreak Kills 5 People In Sierra Leone

    According to the World Health Organization (WHO), a new Ebola Virus outbreak is responsible for the deaths of at least 5 people in Sierra Leone.

    “Preliminary information received from the field indicates that one laboratory-confirmed case and five community deaths have been reported from Koindu chiefdom,” the WHO’s website said, which also explained that the five cases were located along the border of Guinea.

    Since March, the Ebola virus has been viciously attacking the neighboring West African countries Guinea and Liberia, and has led to the deaths of nearly 200 people.

    The Ebola Virus is incredibly dangerous and is one of the deadliest viruses known to man, with a mortality rate of nearly 90 percent. The virus attacks people quickly, with an incubation period of 2-21 days, and causes extreme symptoms. Among those symptoms are severe fever, muscle pain, weakness, vomiting and diarrhea. The virus can also lead to organ failure and intense internal bleeding.

    There is currently no cure or vaccine for the virus, which adds to its lethalness. It is spread through direct contact with those who are infected, and/or exposure to wild animals that can harbor the virus such as bats and monkeys.

    The virus is also known to be spread at burials, when people touch the dead bodies of those infected. Poor precautions by doctors and nurses can also contribute to the spread of the disease. To contain the virus, doctors and nurses are urged to isolate patients, wear masks, gloves, and goggles, and bury the dead quickly. One of those who died in Sierra Leone was said to be a health care worker.

    The first case of Ebola was confirmed 38-years-ago in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Since then, the virus has taken the lives of approximately 1,400 people.

    Image via Wikimedia Commons

  • Ebola Outbreak Thought to Have Spread to Liberia

    The largest Ebola outbreak in Africa in seven years has likely spread from Guinea to the bordering nation of Liberia and possibly Sierra Leone.

    Bernice Dahn, Liberia’s chief medical officer, stated that five people in Lofa County in northern Liberia had likely died from contracting Ebola. In Guinea, at least 86 cases and 59 fatalities have been reported. The capital Conakry has not been affected, according to government spokesman Albert Damantang Camara, contrary to reports by the United Nations Children’s Fund who said outbreak had spread there.

    Commenting on the spread of the virus to neighboring countries, Unicef spokesman Laurent Duvillier stated, “The forest region where Unicef delivered the emergency assistance on Saturday is located along the border with Sierra Leone and Liberia with many people doing business and moving between the three countries. Risk of international spread should be taken seriously.”

    Manifestation of Ebola begins with a sudden onset of an influenza-like stage characterized by general malaise, fever with chills and chest pain. Nausea, abdominal pain, diarrhea and vomiting are also common symptoms. Regarding the central nervous system, victims experience severe headaches, agitation, confusion, fatigue, depression, seizures and sometimes coma. Those who contract Ebola typically die multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS) due to fluid redistribution, hypotension, weakened intravascular coagulation and focal tissue necroses. The hemorrhaging that comes with the disease is typically not the cause of death.

    Spokesman Camara added, “The three cases, which were registered in Conakry, have no link with Ebola. The analyses were made abroad. The outbreak of the disease may be heavier than 59 but the health ministry will release a statement on the disease soon.”

    Unicef plans to dispatch 5 metric tons of aid to the worst affected regions of Guinea, and Unicef spokesman Timothy La Rose told Businessweek in an e-mail that “This outbreak is particularly devastating because medical staff are among the first victims. We are focusing on prevention. We are alerting the public on how to avoid contracting Ebola. Since there is no treatment, this is the best way to stop the spread.”

    Image via YouTube

  • Sierra Leone Diamond: Gem Valued At $6 Million Unearthed In Kono

    Sierra Leone Diamond: Gem Valued At $6 Million Unearthed In Kono

    One of the poorest countries in the world has discovered one of the most valuable gems in history.

    A premium diamond estimated to be worth $6.2 million was unearthed in Kono, Sierra Leone last week. Measuring 153.44 carats, it trumps the one found last year, which measured at 125 carats.

    According to Sierra Leone’s National Minerals Agency, the diamond is one of the finest to be unearthed in their country in the last decade. The diamond has almost no yellow tint, which earned it a D+ grade on the D-to-Z color scale. The yellowish tint of a diamond is caused by nitrogen impurities, which means that last week’s find is of extremely high quality.

    The agency added that in terms of price, the diamond could only be matched by fancy pink or blue diamonds. The diamond’s clarity and color make it a stone of the finest class, and had the diamond been in the shape of an octahedron, it would easily have become worth twice its value.

    Aside from diamonds, Sierra Leone is rich in other mineral resources, including titanium ore, bauxite, magnetite iron ore, and gold. The export of these minerals is the country’s major source of income. Monitoring the export of the stones is difficult, and some of the diamonds are smuggled.

    Sierra Leone is infamous for the selling of so-called “blood diamonds” by rebel leaders to multinational companies in order to buy weapons during the civil war, which ended in 2002. The country has since attracted substantial investments from foreign companies, but it remains one of the most poverty-stricken in the world.

    The country is striving to manage its resources on the road to recovery, but much of Sierra Leone’s economic revival will depend on the government’s efforts to end, or at least limit, the corruption by many of its officials. Many believe that corruption in the government caused the civil war in the first place.

    Blood Diamonds: The Human Cost Of  The Diamond Trade

    Image via YouTube