Ebola virus disease: epidemiological update

Public Health England has issued an update on Ebola. The key points are: 

• As of 31 May 2015, the World Health Organization (WHO) reports a total of 27,181 clinically compatible cases (CCC) of Ebola virus disease (EVD), including 11,162 deaths
• There has been an increase in newly confirmed cases reported this week with Guinea reporting 13 cases (up from 9 in the previous week) and Sierra Leone reporting 12 cases (compared to 3 the previous week)
• The geographical distribution of the new cases has also increased this week with cases reported across 4 prefectures in Guinea and 3 districts in Sierra Leone
• In Sierra Leone most (8/12) cases were reported from Port Loko, while the majority (7/13) of cases in Guinea still reported from Forécariah prefecture (Figure 2)
• Liberia remains EVD free
• The progress to zero EVD cases remains a challenge requiring sustained effort, compounded by the arrival of the rainy season and ongoing problems with community resistance in both Guinea and Sierra Leone
• The risk of EVD transmission occurring within the community in the UK is, and is expected to remain, very low.

The complete document can be read here.

Posted by Tim Sandle