HPR volume 9 issue 7: news (27 February)
Updated 29 December 2015
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1. Ebola virus disease: international epidemiological summary (at 22 February 2015)
As of 22 February 2015, the World Health Organization reports a total of 23,729 clinically compatible cases (CCC) of Ebola virus disease (EVD), including 9,604 deaths, associated with the West African outbreak (see table). Provided case totals and, particularly, deaths are known to under-represent the true impact of the outbreak in West Africa. While the majority of cases have been reported from Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone, cases have also been reported from Mali, Nigeria, Senegal, Spain, the United Kingdom (UK) and the United States of America (USA).
Ebola virus disease international epidemiological information as at 22 February 2015.
| Country | Total CCCs | Total deaths | Current status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Guinea | 3155 | 2091 | Ongoing transmission |
| Liberia | 9238 | 4037 | Ongoing transmission |
| Sierra Leone | 11,301 | 3461 | Ongoing transmission |
| Mali | 8 | 6 | EVD free |
| Nigeria | 20 | 8 | EVD free |
| Senegal | 1 | 0 | EVD free |
| Spain | 1 | 0 | EVD free |
| UK | 1 | 0 | Single imported case |
| USA | 4 | 1 | Awaiting EVD free status |
| TOTAL | 23,729 | 9604 | – |
Substantial improvements in the epidemiological situation in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone have been observed in the last two months. However, the complex nature of this outbreak means that control of EVD in West Africa continues to face significant challenges. In the last week, 99 new confirmed cases were reported from Guinea (35), Liberia (1) and Sierra Leone (63) (see figure).
Number of new confirmed cases reported per week (21 September 2014 to 22 February 2015) in countries reporting persistent transmission
In Guinea, a slight decrease in case incidence was reported in the last week. The geographical distribution of cases continues to vary and shift, with six prefectures reporting confirmed cases in the last week. While the majority of cases were reported from Forécariah, on the Sierra Leone border, Conakry the capital continues to record transmission. Reports of unsafe burials and incidents of community resistance remain an issue and may impede progress in EVD control.
In Liberia, reported case incidence remains at a low level with two confirmed cases reported in the last week, in Montserrado county. The situation in Liberia appears promising. However, it is important to note that even when no ongoing transmission is reported in Liberia, the porous nature of its borders with other affected countries means that the risk of further outbreaks continues until West Africa is EVD free.
Sierra Leone continues to record the majority of new cases in the West African EVD outbreak. Though a reduced number of confirmed cases was reported in Freetown (14 confirmed cases), a large increase in confirmed cases in the northern district of Bombali (20 confirmed cases) was reported to be linked to a cluster in the Aberdeen area of Freetown. While there has been substantial improvement in the epidemiological situation in Sierra Leone in the last two months, the fluctuating trend in new cases in certain districts, as well as ongoing reports of community resistance and reports of significant numbers of unsafe burials, may impede control measures.
Further information on the international epidemiological situation can be found in PHE’s weekly Ebola epidemiological update.