Guinea: New Ebola Epidemic Declared

The Republic of Guinea has announced an outbreak of Ebola within its borders.

The west African nation’s health minister, Remy Lamah, released a statement on Sunday, 14 February, declaring the emergency after three people tested positive for, and subsequently died from, the virus.

Four others remain isolated and hospitalised at unspecified health facilities.

Lamah confirmed what the tests proved, saying: “Faced with this situation and in accordance with international health regulations, the Guinean government declares an Ebola epidemic.”

The first casualty was a local nurse from Goueke, who was then transferred for treatment to Nzerekore – near the border of neighbours Liberia and Ivory Coast – who was buried on 1 February, thus marking the first resurfacing of the deadly contagion in the region since 2016.

After the news broke, Liberia and Sierra Leone heightened their alert levels in response.

The epidemic will place increased stress on a health sector that is already being pushed to the limits due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Guinea currently has 14 967 confirmed COVID-19 cases, with 85 citizens succumbing to it. A total of 380 cases remain active.

Image Credit: Source