Brussels, 11/04/2014 (Agence Europe) - The EU has released €1.1 million in emergency aid to help contain the spread of the Ebola epidemic in Guinea and its neighbouring countries, the European Commission announced on Friday 11 April. This funding comes on top of the €500,000 mobilised on 31 March (see EUROPE 11050). It will be channelled through Médecins sans Frontières and the World Health Organisation (WHO) to give care to those suffering from this extremely contagious virus that produces fever and haemorrhaging, and to strengthen risk assessments.
Médecins sans Frontières will thus be able to step up its action in managing the risks (isolating the patients and giving psycho-social support), in tracing suspect cases, in training health workers and providing them with personal protection equipment. The EU aid will also enable more effective work from the WHO - epidemiological surveillance and providing medical supplies, equipment, transport logistics and health personnel.
Three humanitarian experts from the Commission are in Conakry (Guinea) and Monrovia (Liberia) to ensure coordination with local authorities and partner humanitarian organisations. The EU's Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) has just published a second risk assessment according to which the risk for EU citizens living or travelling in these countries remains low.
There are currently 157 suspected Ebola cases in Guinea which have claimed 101 lives. The 21 suspected cases in Liberia have resulted in the death of 10 people. In Mali, there have been 10 suspected since cases since 7 April - two of which have since proved to be negative. The other cases are in the process of being examined. (AN)