Ebola Update: Senegal Reports First Case and Status on Other Countries

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One confirmed case from Senegal adds a fifth West African country to the list of those battling Ebola.   As the virus spreads, experts from the United Nations estimate they’ll need $600 Million in aid to help control the outbreak.

Senegal and Ebola

Senegal has confirmed its first case of Ebola. Sermo infectious disease expert, James Wilson, MD, from the University of Nevada/Reno and Ascel Bio suspects there will be more cases soon. “There is suspicion that there’s more than one person already in Senegal,” said Wilson.

The World Health Organization is reporting at least 3,500 cases of Ebola and 1,900 deaths. A small positive note, the current fatality rate is 47 percent; in previous outbreaks the fatality rate has been as high as 80 percent.

Dr. Wilson states, “There are a multitude of cases in the rural areas of these effected countries where case counts are not being done. Therefore, the true case counts and fatalities are likely much higher.”

$600 Million to fight Ebola

The United Nations released a report estimating a need for $600 million to help defeat the outbreak. The funds would go to:

• Protective gear for health care workers
• Additional facilities and supplies to help the sick
• Hazard pay for health care workers
• Assistance tracking Ebola patients in the community to isolate any potential exposures to the virus

West African Students Beginning College Semesters

Around the globe, particularly in the UK and the US, students from the five infected countries are returning to college campuses. This semester over 10,000 students from infected countries will arrive on US campuses.

According to the Miami Herald, there is some limited screening but Wilson wants more. “We want to let campuses around the country know so they can be aware of the situation and properly screen incoming students,” said Wilson. “Preparedness plans need to be in place to make sure everyone stays healthy. Here on Sermo, nearly 80% of physicians believe no preparedness discussions have taken place in their community.”

Ascel Bio released a situational report yesterday with the latest information:

The outbreak in Guinea is measured as causing less societal strain on an apples-to-apples quantitative basis than the outbreak is currently causing in Nigeria. This is said while acknowledging:

• There have been far fewer cases reported in Nigeria.  Nigeria has three cases reported in Port Harcourt – all related to initial case, but secondary and tertiary involvements. There remains the possibility that Nigeria could become significantly worse should the disease continue to spread.
• There have been further protests in Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea, and Nigeria over the opening of quarantine centers and the lack of protective equipment.
• Food shortages are a serious concern for the heavily affected region in West Africa.
• Many airlines continue to cancel flights directly into Sierra Leone and Liberia.
• Guinea is certainly feeling strain in social (protesting) and infrastructural (food supply, new Ebola centers), although the cases have slowed.
• Surging medical response over the past three weeks may be showing signs of modest positive impact, but remains strained.

The Ebola outbreak is a frequent topic of conversation within the Sermo community. We are actively covering Ebola on our blog as well. If you’re an M.D. or D.O. please join us for reports from the region from some of our physicians with ties to local communities.