Guinea has declared an Ebola outbreak for the first time since 2016, when a two-year outbreak in West Africa finally ended after killing more than 11,000 people. The new outbreak, in the town of Gouécké, has already killed three – two women and a man. They were among seven people who attended a nurse’s funeral on February 1 and later came down with diarrhea, vomiting, and bleeding. All seven cases have now been confirmed as Ebola virus.
It can cause fever, aches, and fatigue before progressing to “wet” symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, and hemorrhaging. On average, its fatality rate is about 50%. The Ebola virus is highly contagious and can be contracted through bodily fluids such as vomit, blood, or semen. It can also spread indirectly through contact with contaminated environment.
The country’s health ministry, on Sunday stated that the infected patients have been isolated in treatment centres. The ministry issued a statement stating that faced with the situation and in accordance with international health regulations, the government is declaring an Ebola epidemic.
Health Minister Remy Lamah stated that officials were really concerned about the death, first since 2013-2016 epidemic, which began in Guinea and left 11,300 dear across West Africa.
WHO African Region tweeted the announcement, writing, “New #Ebola outbreak declared in #GuineaFlag of Guinea by health authorities today. 3 cases have been confirmed in the rural community of Gouéké in N’Zerekore prefecture. This is the first time the disease has been reported since the last outbreak ended in 2016.”
In a separate tweet they added that WHO staff are already on the ground supporting surveillance, infection prevention and community engagement. According to the tweet, WHO is also supporting Guinea to procure the Ebola vaccine which has proven instrumental in controlling outbreaks in the DRC.
Ebola jumps to humans from infected animals like chimpanzees, fruit bats and forest antelope. One of the natural reservoir of the Ebola virus is bushmeat – non-domesticated forest animals hunted for consumption. As per a BBC report, experts have said that containment is key to fighting the disease. The virus initially causes sudden fever, intense weakness, muscle pain and sore throat. Patients tend to die from dehydration and multiple organ failure.
