Liberia steps ups measures to control Ebola virus
Monrovia, Liberia – The government of Liberia has announced that measures have been stepped up to contain the Ebola outbreak in the West African country.
Some of the measures include the establishment of a laboratory at the Liberia Institute of Biomedical Research (LIBR) in Margibi County to test for Ebola and Lassa Fever, the country’s Ministry of Health said in a statement.
The ministry said it has set up case management treatment Centers in Foyah, Lofa County where the disease was first reported from Guinea and the ELWA Hospital in Monrovia.
According to the statement, stakeholders are working with various Technical Committees of the National Task Force on Health Emergency in strengthening surveillance, contact tracing, psychosocial support, case management, community mobilisation and sensitization on preventing and containing the spread of the Ebola virus.
It said the international organisations, Samaritan’s Purse in collaboration with the County Health Teams, is conducting awareness in communities, schools, and churches in Lofa, Gbarpolu, and River Gee Counties and the capital, Monrovia.
“Other partners, including UNFPA and Plan-Liberia, have printed fliers and posters, including Ebola school-friendly materials for distribution to Lofa, Bong, Nimba, Margibi, and Montserrado Counties,” the ministry said.
“The Communication, Advocacy, and Social Mobilization Committee has also developed a communication package targeting health workers to minimize the spread of Ebola infections, build trust, and address fears in handling patients at health facilities,” the statement added.
Meanwhile, the Ebola virus has now claimed 13 lives in the country, including 6 confirmed deaths, as of April, 2014.
The ministry said recently, one new suspected case was reported from Bong County, bringing to 26 the cumulative suspected, probable and confirmed cases.
Ebola virus is considered one of the most aggressive virus known to date in part because of its rapidity to kill, which can be within one week from exposure or three to four days from the first symptoms become apparent. This leaves very little time for any treatment to act and save a sick individual.