Health

Teams of investigators in Mali have been tracing health workers and scouring cities for people who could have been exposed to the deadly virus. The virus has been most devastating in the West African countries of Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Guinea, which have seen the most fatalities with 2,964, 1,250 and 1,192 deaths respectively, the WHO said.Ebola is a form of hemorrhagic fever whose symptoms are diarrhea, vomiting, and bleeding. The virus spreads through direct contact with infected blood, feces, or sweat. It can be also spread through sexual contact or the unprotected handling of contaminated corpses.

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Ngwa Bertrand

21.Nov.2014

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Rita Akana

Andre Mama Fouda, Minister of Public Health revealed on Thursday that Cameroon has 4.5 million people who are carriers of the Hepatitis B and C viruses. The Minister hinted that the figures are six times more than those with the HIV virus. The World Health Organization has warned that Cameroon needs to step up its game aimed at combating the virus. It is vital to include in this report that the CPDM government started a campaign in January 2013 that was geared towards preventing Cameroonians from contracting the Hepatitis virus.

 

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Ngwa Bertrand

21.Nov.2014

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The United Nations (UN) says women are more at risk of Ebola infection because of their special roles in the countries affected by the disease. “There are some reports that in the countries affected by the Ebola outbreak…women are particularly at risk. Partly because of their role as healers, partly because of their role as carers in the home and partly because also they are most involved in household activities and this puts them at particular risk of getting infected,” said the UN’s Special Envoy on Ebola David Nabarro on Friday. According to reports, the deadly virus also poses serious threats to the health of pregnant women in most African countries, which lack adequate sanitary health care facilities. The Ebola epidemic has so far claimed the lives of 5,459 people all around the world, while more than 15,351 people have been infected, the World Health Organization announced on Friday.

 

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Ngwa Bertrand

21.Nov.2014

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The Ebola epidemic has so far claimed the lives of 5,420 people all around the world, while more than 15,145 people have been infected, the World Health Organization (WHO) says. The virus has been most devastating in the West African countries of Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Guinea, which have seen the most fatalities with 2,964, 1,250 and 1,192 deaths, respectively, the WHO announced on Wednesday. However, the WHO predicts that the number of Ebola victims is likely to be much higher than the official statistics, considering the 70-percent mortality rate.

Meanwhile, the World Bank reports that the impact of the Ebola virus on Sub-Saharan Africa’s economy is expected to be around $3-$4 billion, so much less than the organization’s earlier estimate of $32 billion as the utmost possible damage. "The risk of the highest case of economic impact of Ebola has been reduced because of the success of containment in some countries. It has not gone to zero because a great level of preparedness and focus is still needed," said Francisco H. G. Ferreira, the World Bank's Chief Economist for the Africa Region, in Johannesburg on Wednesday.

Ebola is a form of hemorrhagic fever whose symptoms are diarrhea, vomiting and bleeding. The virus spreads through direct contact with infected blood, feces or sweat. It can also be spread through sexual contact or the unprotected handling of contaminated corpses. There is currently no known cure for Ebola.

 

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Ngwa Bertrand

20.Nov.2014

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Mali has placed hundreds of people under surveillance over fear of being exposed to Ebola, as the country battles to contain the spread of the deadly virus. “The number of contacts followed by health services amounts to 442,” said Samba Sow, head of the Ebola response in Mali, in a statement on Sunday, adding that the people are all being monitored for health control. Officials in Mali have so far prevented a major outbreak after the death of a Guinean imam and the Malian nurse who treated him in the capital, Bamako, last week. A friend who had visited the imam also died of probable Ebola. In October, a two-year-old girl also died in the western town of Kayes after she was confirmed of having contracted the virus. “The death toll has not changed since November 15, and remains three related to (and including) the Guinean patient’s death and one death in Kayes,” Sow stated. Meanwhile, officials said two people that died on November 15 are “highly suspected” of having contracted Ebola after exposure to the imam’s body. Teams of investigators in Mali have been tracing health workers and scouring cities for people who could have been exposed to the deadly virus.

 

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Ngwa Bertrand

17.Nov.2014

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Officials with the Nebraska Medical Center report that a Maryland doctor who was being treated for Ebola there has died.

Hospital officials made the announcement in a news release on Monday:

The third patient with the Ebola virus to be treated at Nebraska Medical Center, Dr. Martin Salia, has regretfully passed away as a result of his disease.

"It is with an extremely heavy heart that we share this news," said Dr. Phil Smith, medical director of the Biocontainment Unit at Nebraska Medical Center and professor of infectious diseases at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, the hospital's academic partner. "Dr. Salia was extremely critical when he arrived here, and unfortunately, despite our best efforts, we weren't able to save him."

Dr. Salia was suffering from advanced symptoms of Ebola when he arrived at the hospital Saturday, which included kidney and respiratory failure. He was placed on dialysis, a ventilator and multiple medications to support his organ systems in an effort to help his body fight the disease. He also received a dose of convalescent plasma and ZMapp therapy was initiated on Saturday.

"We used every possible treatment available to give Dr. Salia every possible opportunity for survival," said Dr. Smith. "As we have learned, early treatment with these patients is essential. In Dr. Salia's case, his disease was already extremely advanced by the time he came here for treatment."

"We're very grateful for the efforts of the team led by Dr. Smith," said Isatu Salia, Dr. Salia's wife. "In the short time we spent here, it was apparent how caring and compassionate everyone was. We are so appreciative of the opportunity for my husband to be treated here and believe he was in the best place possible."

"Every member of the team has been personally affected by Dr. Salia's passing," concluded Shelly Schwedhelm, nursing director of the Biocontainment Unit. "While losing any patient is always extremely difficult, although our effort here was brief, everyone gave every ounce of effort they had. The collective feeling of loss has been overwhelming."

Members of our team plan to speak to the media Monday morning. More information will be available soon."

Earlier Monday morning, we reported that Dr. Martin Salia was in extremely critical condition in the biocontainment unit at Nebraska Medical Center. Although he was stable Friday, by Saturday he was too weak to walk. Doctors tell us that's how fast this devastating virus ravages the body.

The 44-year-old was on a stretcher when he arrived in Omaha this weekend. Salia was transported by ambulance to Nebraska Medical Center where physicians said he was in the worst shape than the two other Ebola patients they successfully treated this fall.

Salia got sick November 6th while treating patients in his native Sierra Leone. He spends about four months at a time overseas. The rest of his time he spends with his family in New Carrollton, Maryland. His first Ebola test was negative but four days later he tested positive for the virus. Doctors here describe that as a tragic mistake and one that shows just how little the health community in West Africa know about the disease, because tests taken within the first three days are often inconclusive.

Salia's son was worried but said his dad's a hero, responding to the call to help others. After our interview with the doctor's family, his mother, wife and 12-year-old son flew to Nebraska and were keeping vigil near the hospital.

His death marks the second Ebola death in the United States. Ebola has killed more than 5,000 people in West Africa.

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Ngwa Bertrand

17.Nov.2014

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