Ebola returns to Sierra Leone
The 2014 outbreak caused thousands of deaths in West Africa, and there were even reported cases in the U.S. and elsewhere around the world. Countries have been training military and medical teams to better handle the outbreak to prevent the spread of the disease.
"We are now at a critical period in the Ebola epidemic as we move from managing cases and patients to managing the residual risk of new infections,” Dr. Bruce Aylward, World Health Organization’s (WHO) special representative for Ebola response, said. “We still anticipate more flare-ups and must be prepared for them.”
WHO issued a statement on Jan. 14 that the West African countries of Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone, which have been the most severely impacted by the disease, are still on high alert for any new infection. Small outbreaks are still expected, as the virus remains in those who have recovered from the disease.
Sierra Leone was put on a 90-day surveillance period that started Nov. 7. The surveillance was meant to keep the country on alert after the Ebola transmission ended in the country.
Government officials are working both to handle the flare-up quickly and prevent future flare-ups from occurring.