Ebola crisis in West Africa

[Gail]

There is an Ebola outbreak happening in Sierra Leone, Guinea and Liberia right now. The latest I've heard is that a patient was located in Nigeria, so now that country is involved.

Ebola is VERY deadly as far as viruses go. I thought that the mortality rate is 60% but if a person does not get treatment it could be higher.

The problems the foreign medical people were having is that the population suffers from lack of information. They believed that if their loved one went to hospital s/he wouldn't come out, that it was a death sentence. Others didn't want to give up the dead bodies, preferring that families handle their own dead. And that has led to the spread of the plague.

My daughter-in-law through her non-profit was able to distribute 3500 * information packets through her staff, who are locals and are trusted. She is still working on this.

But she has asked for prayer for her and Kevin's friends who are still in the country. Some are with Samaritan's Purse, who Kev used to work for. They are very concerned at this point.

I've read that the head doctor working with the Ebola patients has now come down with the disease.

Thanks for all who feel impressed to lift up petitions to God for the people of West Africa in this situation.

* Note- I need to fix that number. It should be 3,025 packets. Sorry for the error- Gail

[hch]

There is an Ebola outbreak happening in Sierra Leone, Guinea and Liberia right now. The latest I've heard is that a patient was located in Nigeria, so now that country is involved.

I too am praying.

On the evening news, it was reported that three doctors

who have been trying to treat the sick have contracted Ebola and died.

If the medical professionals who are trained to treat the sick are getting the disease and dying from it,

the situation is dire.

[Naomi]

Yes, I have been following this sad story ... and praying for it's soon resolution. Certainly we need to pray for the victims, but also for the medical personnel and all others affected by its

potential.

[hch]

Yes, I have been following this sad story ... and praying for it's soon resolution. Certainly we need to pray for the victims, but also for the medical personnel and all others affected by its

potential.

In spite of the sadness that Ebola brings with it, in a strange way it gives a message of hope.

The world is waxing old like a garment. Man has put in motion everything that is needed for the 7 last plagues to fall. And though that will be the most trying period in earth's history, when it is past, there will be no more death and dying. The sin problem will be no more.

We also need to pray for God's people and strength to go through the trials until then.

[LifeHiscost]

I understand that the borders of the country where the disease started have been closed to help contain the spread of the disease.

Even so, Come Lord Jesus!

"Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace."Romans 11:5

KJV

Here is a comment that, in the light of the Revelation and in line with a recent comment #703167 on CA by a poster, is very plausible.

Quote:

What if Putin shot down the Airlines because EBOLA was on it. When does the Peaceful nations of the World use Massive homicide to save!

There are 632 fatalities from the disease so far, including the death of one of the senior health officials that was involved in treating some of the victims.

http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/official-ebola-kills-senior-doctor-liberia-24730443

God is Love! Jesus saves!

[Gail]

The latest I have about the American young doctor working with Samaritan's Purse, Kent Brantly, is in grave condition.

It reminds me of the black plague... What do you do when the caregivers start coming down with the disease? This is the worst Ebola outbreak to date.

Liberia has closed down its borders, but I understand that this outbreak began in Guinea.

[Gail]

The doctor at the head of the campaign of this battle in Sierra Leone has now died of the disease :(

[LifeHiscost]

http://news.yahoo.com/ebola-spread-forest-fire-us-warns-213607589.html

Quote:

The fatality rate from Ebola can reach as high as 90 percent, though this time it has stayed around 60 percent, suggesting that protective measures are having an effect, the CDC said.

However, there is no end in sight to the outbreak, and cases are expected to mount in the coming months.

"The response to this outbreak will be more of a marathon than a sprint," said Monroe.

For those who have found a Friend in Jesus, and any of those who may be on the way to making that friendship concrete, He has given this promise.

"Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day;

Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday.

A thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it shall not come nigh thee.

Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the reward of the wicked."Psalms 91:5-8 KJV

God is Love! Jesus saves!

[phkrause]

Wow, that's so sad!!

[Gail]

The latest plan is to evacuate the 2 Americans, I have no idea what good that will do, especially since they are at the critical stage of the disease. I pray they recover.

I just read that the WHO is sending $100million to Africa to combat this outbreak. The death toll is at 729. Liberia has closed its schools and tightened their borders and Sierra Leone has declared a state of emergency.

[phkrause]

That's awful, and when you say WHO, are you taling about the group or an organization?

[Gail]

The World Health Organization

[Naomi]

The latest plan is to evacuate the 2 Americans, I have no idea what good that will do, especially since they are at the critical stage of the disease. I pray they recover.

I just read that the WHO is sending $100million to Africa to combat this outbreak. The death toll is at 729. Liberia has closed its schools and tightened their borders and Sierra Leone has declared a state of emergency.

Such a sad state of affairs; bringing the Americans home may not save their lives but give their families and friends a last chance to say goodbye. Closure is important.

$100 million sounds like a lot of money, but for such a serious epidemic and the numbers of peoples living there is is but a drop in the bucket. Pray they find a cure.

[Gail]

Here is the text of the presidential message to the people of Liberia delivered yesterday:

Quote:

Special Statement

By

President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf

On Additional Measures in the Fight against the Ebola Viral Disease

Wednesday, July 30, 2014

(As Delivered)

My fellow citizens:

Today, in continuation of our efforts to combat the deadly Ebola virus, I am pleased to launch the National Action Plan presented by the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare in partnership with the World Health Organization. Given the multi-dimensional efforts, including local, regional and international which we must bring to this fight against this scourge, the National Action Plan as presented is by no means exhaustive. However, it establishes a useful framework by which we can continue our work, as well as seek international support and assistance, as we invite the inclusions of other important aspects to the plan.

As such, the Government of Liberia is today contributing the amount of US $5 million as our initial contribution to begin the immediate implementation of this plan.

Obviously, this dreadful virus has overtasked our public health facilities and capabilities.

The nature of the virus and its rapid spread throughout Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone, attacking, as it has, the way of life of the people of the Mano River Basin, have posed national, regional and international threats to public health and safety of the gravest proportions. This is unprecedented. The World Health Organization has upgraded the outbreak to Grade 3 Emergency the highest in its response category.

Already, working through a National Task Force on Ebola which I co-chair, and after wide-ranging consultations with citizens, health authorities and partners, we have announced a number of stringent preventive measures, issued standing orders to our security forces, and restricted movements internally and externally. We will continue to do more as the situation requires.

However, as we continue to see, this is not only a Liberia problem. It also cannot be seen only as a problem of the Mano River sub-region. It truly is an international problem with which we must all be seized and engaged. This is why, here in Liberia, we are especially grateful to the Medecins Sans Frontiers, and their partner, the Samaritan Purse who, at great personal risks, has continued to assist us in the difficult fight against this pandemic.

We are also thankful for the assistance provided by the Center for Disease Control and the National Institute of Health of the United States for the much needed technical support.

The deadly Ebola virus is ravishing our country – claiming the lives of many of our countrymen with rapid spread in populated counties including Montserrado and Lofa.

Many others are under observation and surveillance which, according to the experts, could lead to more deaths.

Our immediate strategy is to contain the spread, care for the afflicted with the goal of “No New Cases”. And so, today, we announce the following additional measures: All non-essential staff, to be determined by the Minister or Head of Agency, are to be placed on a 30-day compulsory leave.

Friday, August 1, is declared a non-working day and is to be used for the disinfection and chlorination of all public facilities.

All borders that are to remain opened are to be directly supervised and controlled by the Bureau of Immigration and Naturalization whose duties it shall be, working with the assigned health authorities, to ensure strict adherence to announced preventive measures including preliminary testing for fever.

Without exceptions, all schools are ordered closed pending further directive from the Ministry of Education.

All markets at border areas including Foya, Bo Waterside, and Ganta are hereby ordered closed until further notice.

As previously directed, video clubs and entertainment centers must have improved sanitation including facilities for the washing of hands prior to entering and exiting as well as to restrict opening hours, and the number of individuals permitted to enter those facilities.

All citizens are seriously advised to avoid public amusement and entertainment centers.

Increase in prices of sanitation commodities used in this fight will be treated as an offense against the people of Liberia. The Ministry of Commerce is directed to enforce this order. All such commodities including chlorine, soap, sanitizers, fliers and buckets are to be imported duty free.

Several communities are being considered to be quarantined based upon recommendations from the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare and other relevant authorities. When these measures are instituted, only health care workers will be permitted to move in and out of those areas. Food and other medical support will be provided to those communities and affected individuals.

The Ministry of Health and relevant agencies are also to consider the cremation of all victims of the deadly Ebola virus. This measure is intended to avoid tampering with the dead and contaminating water sources.

Government travels will be seriously restricted and limited to only those that are determined to be absolutely necessary and critical. The Vice President and a few cabinet ministers whose presence are absolutely necessary will attend the ensuing U.S./Africa Leadership Summit.

The security forces, under the directive of the Ministers of Justice and National Defense, are again ordered to enforce all of these measures announced by the National Task Force on Ebola.

Finally, my fellow Liberians, Ebola is real. Ebola is contagious. And Ebola kills. All of us must all take extra measures announced by the Ministry of Health to keep ourselves safe.

The government will do its part. But you must do yours. Denying that the disease exists is not doing your part to keep yourself and your loved ones safe. Hiding sick persons is not doing your part to keep yourself and your loved ones safe. Ignoring the signs and not reporting it to the health care authorities are not the ways by which we keep ourselves safe.

The sooner we unite in fighting this disease, as I know we can, where each of us will play our part, the sooner we will overcome this disease and return ourselves to how we have always lived.

Our appreciation goes to all of those who continue to work collectively as we try to fight this deadly disease.

May God continue to bless us all.

[rudywoofs (Pam)]

all the money in the world could be spent on the accessibility to sanitation facilities and proper hygiene, but if people don't wash their hands and do other precautionary actions, it will be for naught..

By the way, since the ebola is spread via bodily fluid contact, many are saying it is not an "airborne" virus. Though I'm not a bioresearcher, if someone who has ebola has a violent coughing spell, it seems to me that the virus actually *could* be spread via droplets tinged with infected blood. I'd be more cautious...

[Gail]

I agree with you. They are still not certain how the American doctor caught it, as he is adamant that he took the necessary precautions. They are speculating that he could have caught it while off the worksite in a public area.

But it is more than just washing hands. The families are wanting to handle their own dead, preparing them for burial. That's a scary thought in the midst of this crisis.

[Gail]

The latest I've read is that Dr. Brantley is back in the US. The other aid worker should be there soon.

[Gail]

Out of people who were exposed to Ebola through Patrick Sawyer, the American who died in Nigeria, one is confirmed with the disease and 8 more are suspected as having come down with it.

A man traveling from Sierra Leone to Saudi Arabia is being tested for Ebola as well.

The Washington Post is reporting that Liberians have been spooked by information to disinfect their homes and are now dumping their dead INTO THE STREETS, if you can imagine!

Heavenly Father, we know from Jesus' words that evil things will come on the earth before He returns, that the things we hear about are but the beginning of sorrows.

I ask for mercy for the people in West Africa. Many of those people are destitute of your Word and Your love. It is still a dark continent, but I would like to pray for them as this scourge ravages its people. When/if the people look up I pray that angels will attend them. May the information get out to all who need it, as well as medical aid.

In Jesus' precious name- amen

[Gail]

The death toll has shot up to 887 :(

[rudywoofs (Pam)]

to tell the truth, I'm not real keen on the two Americans coming back to the States with ebola... it would only take one slip-up to expose a LOT of people...

[Gail]

to tell the truth, I'm not real keen on the two Americans coming back to the States with ebola... it would only take one slip-up to expose a LOT of people...

I reckon that a lot of people would agree with you.

[phkrause]

Out of people who were exposed to Ebola through Patrick Sawyer, the American who died in Nigeria, one is confirmed with the disease and 8 more are suspected as having come down with it.

A man traveling from Sierra Leone to Saudi Arabia is being tested for Ebola as well.

The Washington Post is reporting that Liberians have been spooked by information to disinfect their homes and are now dumping their dead INTO THE STREETS, if you can imagine!

Heavenly Father, we know from Jesus' words that evil things will come on the earth before He returns, that the things we hear about are but the beginning of sorrows.

I ask for mercy for the people in West Africa. Many of those people are destitute of your Word and Your love. It is still a dark continent, but I would like to pray for them as this scourge ravages its people. When/if the people look up I pray that angels will attend them. May the information get out to all who need it, as well as medical aid.

In Jesus' precious name- amen

Amen

[Gail]

The death toll has now reached 932... The man who was being tested for it in Saudi Arabia has died, as well as a nurse in Nigeria who treated the American who died after having flown there, arriving sick. The total death toll in Nigeria is now 9.

Meanwhile the 2 Americans who were returned to the US seem to be recovering.

The WHO is convening to decide whether to declare this a public health emergency of International import.

Our prayers, though across the miles, can intercede at God's throne! The big need is for health care in these poor countries. I am not sure anymore where one can donate toward this cause. Samaritan's Purse has evacuated all of their staff except for a skeleton crew, but they might still have plans for help. At this point I am not sure whether my son and his wife's friends with SP are still over there and if LACES can yet help. But Seren's Liberian staff are there living in the thick of it. I need updates from them.

[Gail]

Death toll is now 961, and the latest is that a traveler has been quarantined in Brampton, ON, from a flight from Nigeria, with flu-like symptoms. We await the diagnosis.

From what I have read, Ebola won't have the chance to spread here or in the U.S. as it does in Africa because an infectious person will be nabbed for quarantine before doing much damage. In Africa the few medical facilities are overwhelmed, with caretakers succumbing to the disease or abandoning their posts. Families in N. America tend not to handle their dead, either, and have handy access to disinfectant and are generally more knowledgeable about hygiene. Emergency information travels readily and people (I like to think) are pretty good about complying.

My mind wonders if the sick Americans were brought back so that modern medicine could get a good chance at developing a vaccine.

[Gail]

Here is some sensible thinking; quoted from CBC news:

Quote:

Jonathan Epstein is a veterinary epidemiologist based in New York and associate vice-president of the EcoHealth Alliance, a group of scientists researching the relationships between wildlife, ecosystems and human health to limit the spread of diseases from animals to people.

Epstein said that coupled with moves by governments in West Africa to set up quarantine areas and to continue to provide hospital services, there needs to be more effective educational outreach.

"I think something that could be effective is having people who survive infection become ambassadors to help communicate that supportive care is really important," Epstein said.