About Careers Internship MedBlog Contact us
Medindia LOGIN REGISTER
Advertisement

Ebola Death Count: Tenth Doctor of Sierra Leone

by Himabindu Venkatakrishnan on December 8, 2014 at 6:55 PM
 Ebola Death Count: Tenth Doctor of Sierra Leone

Ebola kills tenth doctor in Sierra Leone, reported the government on Sunday. This increased alarm over the safety of medics battling the deadly epidemic.

Aiah Solomon Konoyima's death late on Saturday at an Ebola treatment unit in Hastings, near the capital Freetown, came just a day after two of his colleagues were killed by the virus.

Advertisement

"He had been in the centre for over a week and few days ago he was moved to the recovery ward as he had great signs of recovery," chief medical officer Brima Kargbo told AFP.

"The continuing death of our doctors and the mode of transmission of the virus are worrisome, and we will intensify all skills to arrest the situation."
Advertisement

Even before the Ebola epidemic spread from Guinea in May, Sierra Leone, one of the world's poorest countries, was still struggling to rebuild its health services after a decade-long civil war in the 1990s.

In 2010 the nation was estimated to have around one doctor for every 50,000 people -- or roughly 120 doctors for the entire country.

Geraldine George, president of the country's Junior Doctors Association, voiced "grave concerns" last week over the deaths of doctors, urging the government to pile more resources into fighting Ebola.

The doctors are among more than 300 healthcare workers to have died treating patients infected in the deadly outbreak, which appears to be stabilising in Guinea and Liberia, but is still spreading at an alarming rate in Sierra Leone.

The Sierra Leone government announced on Saturday that two doctors had died the previous day, one in the Hastings clinic and another at the British-run Kerry Town Ebola treatment centre a short drive from Freetown.

Sierra Leone has recorded around 1,600 Ebola deaths this year and has registered a worrying surge recently of cases in its western area, including the capital.

The virus is spread through contact with bodily fluids, meaning healthcare workers are particularly at risk, and more than 100 have lost their lives in Sierra Leone.

The outbreak has left more than 6,000 people dead worldwide since December 2013, nearly all in Sierra Leone, Guinea and Liberia.

President Ernest Bai Koroma announced on Sunday a summit on Ebola, gathering the leaders of Sierra Leone, Guinea, Liberia and Ivory coast, would take place in the eastern city of Kailahun "very soon".

"We are not out of the woods yet but the mechanisms we have put in place will definitely bear fruit in time," he said.

Source: AFP
Font : A-A+

Advertisement

Advertisement
Advertisement

Recommended Readings

Latest Tropical Disease News

Global Spread of Mpox Virus Persists: Cases Reported in China and Thailand
The WHO has assessed the risk of monkeypox for the general population in countries not previously impacted by the current outbreak as low.
Understanding Nipah Virus: Droplet Transmission and Its Lethality at 40-70%
Nipah is a zoonotic virus, meaning it can be transmitted from animals to humans. Fruit bats serve as the natural reservoirs for Nipah virus.
Tamil Nadu Reports Zero Nipah Virus Cases
Nipah Virus (NiV) or Hendra virus is a deadly virus that spreads via contact with the saliva, urine, or excreta of fruit bats or pigs.
Nipah Virus Outbreak: 2 Fatalities Trigger Emergency Response in Kozhikode
Nipah virus is mainly a zoonotic disease, transferring from animals to humans, and can also spread via contaminated food or contact with infected individuals.
Japanese Encephalitis: Emerging Concern for Assam
Japanese Encephalitis in Assam, causing over 15 deaths during the monsoon season, officials are on high alert.
View All
This site uses cookies to deliver our services.By using our site, you acknowledge that you have read and understand our Cookie Policy, Privacy Policy, and our Terms of Use  Ok, Got it. Close
MediBotMediBot
Greetings! How can I assist you?MediBot
×

Ebola Death Count: Tenth Doctor of Sierra Leone Personalised Printable Document (PDF)

Please complete this form and we'll send you a personalised information that is requested

You may use this for your own reference or forward it to your friends.

Please use the information prudently. If you are not a medical doctor please remember to consult your healthcare provider as this information is not a substitute for professional advice.

Name *

Email Address *

Country *

Areas of Interests