Ebola: Sierra Leone Witnesses Progress In Fight Against The Deadly Disease

Sierra Leone reported no new Ebola cases, for the first time since the outbreak, which is a small sign of progress for health officials.

On August 17, the World Health Organization reported that this was the first week with no new cases, but the country still has ways to go to get Ebola free.

Ebola Virus Disease | Ebola Hemorrhagic Fever: Cause Symptoms Diagnosis Treatment
Ebola is caused by a virus via direct contact with body fluids or infected blood. Scientists have identified five types of Ebola or Ebola hemorrhagic fever virus.

WHO said that the use of rapid response teams and strong community involvement in finding Ebola cases yielded results in the country.

Sierra Leone was one of three West African countries, alongside Guinea and Liberia that were hit the hardest by the Ebola outbreak that killed more than 11,000 people.

According to figures from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Sierra Leone had nearly 4,000 deaths from Ebola. Guinea reported 2,500 cases and Liberia the most with 4,800.

UN Chief Applauds Progress in Fighting Ebola, Warns of Setbacks Due to Lapse in Vigilance
Ban Ki-Moon stressed the importance of community engagement and active surveillance to fight Ebola and urged the UN to continue lending its support.

Sierra Leone still has a long wait to becoming Ebola free. The WHO did not declare Liberia Ebola free until May when no new cases were recorded after 42 days.

Even then the proclamation was premature. Last month Liberia reported two confirmed cases of the deadly disease.

About 50% of West African Ebola Survivors Are Facing Chronic Illness: WHO
More than 13,000 survivors in Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone who fought off the Ebola disease are more likely to suffer from joint pain and eye inflammation.

Source-Medindia

Kenya Lifts Travel Ban from Liberia After It was Declared Ebola-Free by WHO
However, Doctors Without Borders has urged the government to be cautious until the disease is completely extinguished in neighboring Guinea and Sierra Leone.