Ebola Outbreak Relief 2014
Over 15,000 cases of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) have been reported in the region including approximately 7000 deaths. The Ebola Virus epidemic which which was initially viewed as a West African problem has affected over 15,000 people and claimed over 5000 lives. It is an epidemic of Global significance. But the experts are of the opinion that the death rate due to the Ebola virus infection is not as important as the rate at which the infection is spreading.
In August/September 2014 Caring Hearts Medical Foundation received a request for assistance from Benson Hospital a local hospital in Monrovia, Liberia. Caring Hearts Medical Foundation mounted a local campaign in San Diego on behalf of victims of the Ebola Virus Epidemic in Liberia the hardest hit West African Country to obtain much needed medical supplies and personal protective equipment to assist in curbing the spread of the Virus which was spreading at an alarming rate.
San Diego local hospitals, health care facilities, government officials, local businesses, philanthropists and individuals responded generously donating over 3 tons of Gowns, Gloves, and other medical supplies which were transported along with a large shipment (100 tons of emergency medical aid) donated by Direct Relief International via private-charter 747 emergency airlift from NY JFK on Saturday, 20 September 2014 for communities fighting Ebola in Liberia and Sierra Leone. The timely delivery of these supplies went a long way towards controlling the spread of the virus. This shipment was privately funded by Direct Relief and charitable contributions to Direct Relief.
In the wake of the Ebola Virus epidemic, I visited Lagos, Nigeria late September 2014 for about 10 days. I was very impressed with the aggressive campaign that the Nigerian Government mounted to promote widespread awareness about the EBOLA Virus epidemic to its citizens. Information was provided to citizens of all levels of education regardless of their level of literacy through the media including radio, television, newspapers, Bill Boards and social media. Nigerian nationals were provided information to raise their awareness about the virus and how to prevent transmission of the disease in all dialects.
At all ports of entry and exit into Nigeria, quarantine stations was set up. These stations were the first point of entry and exit even before passport control. Temperatures of all persons entering or leaving Nigeria were taken using infra-red no touch thermometers. Anyone with an elevated temperature was not allowed to enter or leave the country.
Owners of businesses that served the public were required to purchase no touch thermometers and test all persons entering their facilities. Businesses which included banks and stores were also required to have hand washing stations as well as sanitizers outside of their building for use by their patrons prior to going into the building.
The Nigerian Government also shut down all elementary schools and delayed the resumption of schools until there was certain that the virus was contained.
On October 20, 2014, the federal republic of Nigeria was officially declared EBOLA free by the World Health Organization. A success story for a nation with a population of over $200 million.
Other West African Countries, Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea were not so lucky. The infection rate is still high in Sierra Leone with 6802 reported cases. The infection rate has been decreasing in Liberia with the death toll now standing at 4181. Liberia was the hardest hit country recording over 50% of deaths in the region. Liberia is still not out of the woods reporting 20-25 new cases a day.
Upon my return from my trip on October 3, 2014 along with hundreds of other passengers returning from West Africa, I was shocked that in the wake of an epidemic of such international significance and such a high death toll no quarantine measures were in place at the International Airport in Atlanta Georgia or any other US Airport for that matter. That bothered me because of the 21 day incubation period of persons infected with Ebola Virus. Since then, new federally mandated quarantine 21- day self-monitoring quarantine periods for passengers entering the United States from affected West African Countries have been instituted.
In hindsight, the international response to the Ebola Virus Epidemic should have been handled as a top priority and the response should have been much more aggressive and swift .The spread of the virus would have been halted and the mortality rate of this epidemic would not have reached the proportions that it did. This epidemic was initially being viewed as a “West African problem” but with widespread international travel, an epidemic of this magnitude is a global problem and an International Crisis deserving of a top priority response. The slow response of the international community resulted in a rapid spread and increase in Mortality from EVD.
Since then, the International community’s response to this epidemic has resulted in a marked reduction in the spread and overall mortality of this disease
The latest statistics from Liberia indicate that these numbers have dropped significantly and the situation is under much better control with the strong presence of international community providing logistical support, professional expertise and state of the art Ebola Treatment Centers.
Vaccines and Treatments on the Horizon:
Vaccine
The first test of an Ebola vaccine in people shows it’s safe and appears to be working as designed, doctors reported Wednesday. November 26, 2014. A look at the first 20 people injected with the vaccine, which has been shown to protect monkeys from Ebola, shows no dangerous side effects. And it seems to be producing an immune response that would be expected to protect them from infection. The National Institute for Allergy and Infectious Diseases helped develop and test the vaccine.
Treatment
Post Convalescent Serum: An analysis of blood collected from rom survivors of Ebola Virus Infection show the blood to be loaded with antibodies against the Ebola virus. Trials are underway to begin treatment of infected patients in Sierra Leone with plasma transfusions from EVD survivors.
Oxford University scientists will lead a third trial, the location of which is still to be decided, funded by the Wellcome Trust. They will test the antiviral drug brincidofovir, made by Chimerix of Durham, North Carolina. is effective against the Ebola virus in the lab but has not been tried in animals. However, there is good evidence of its safety in humans from trials against other viruses, and it is easy to take as it is in pill form. Up to 140 patients will be involved.
International Medical Corps has opened up its sixth Ebola treatment center and is looking for committed individuals to work in Centers in Sierra Leone and Liberia. Assignments vary in length are for a minimum of six weeks commitment for qualified healthcare practitioners.
Most of the assignments require international or overseas experience however training includes the treatment and care of individuals placed into an Ebola treatment center, and the proper use of PPE. All individual traveling to the field will be provided health medical insurance and medical emergency insurance coverage in the event of an evacuation.
Interested individuals should please contact International Medical Corps Recruiting Team at ebolarecruit@internationalmedicalcorps.org.
