The Ebola situation continues to be a mixture of extremes, with some areas dramatically improving and others seeing equally dramatic increases in cases. First, the positive -- no cases in Tunkia Chiefdom, and no cases for the past two weeks in all of Kenema District -- cause for thanksgiving. Bonthe District to the southwest has had no cases for over 50 days and has been declared Ebola-free. All the quarantined villagers in Peri and Jalla have been released. For the outreach teams, though, emphasizing vigilance is still essential, as one case from elsewhere could ignite a whole new conflagration.
And the situation elsewhere is mostly grim. The number of cases reported in the country as a whole doubled last week. Freetown, Port Loko, Makeni, and Kambia continue to be centers of infection. The two Ebola cases in Mali that Munir mentioned several weeks ago, all but forgotten as unfounded rumor, were finally reported in mainstream media this week. The number there has increased to 7 cases, with 450 contacts being monitored. Also, tonight the death of Dr. Martin Salia, who was sent to the US for treatment but arrived in critical condition, was announced.
Nevertheless, in the village, plans are underway for dry season, when construction is possible. Materials are being purchased and stored now, while prices are still at their offseason lows. Three new villages will join the six already participating, and a total of 41 new houses are planned -- the most ever. Latrines will be built, cotton and palm fruit will be harvested, the school will be expanded. So even with the restrictions imposed by the presence of Ebola in the country, progress can be made -- in some cases, unprecedented progress.
S.C.
And the situation elsewhere is mostly grim. The number of cases reported in the country as a whole doubled last week. Freetown, Port Loko, Makeni, and Kambia continue to be centers of infection. The two Ebola cases in Mali that Munir mentioned several weeks ago, all but forgotten as unfounded rumor, were finally reported in mainstream media this week. The number there has increased to 7 cases, with 450 contacts being monitored. Also, tonight the death of Dr. Martin Salia, who was sent to the US for treatment but arrived in critical condition, was announced.
Nevertheless, in the village, plans are underway for dry season, when construction is possible. Materials are being purchased and stored now, while prices are still at their offseason lows. Three new villages will join the six already participating, and a total of 41 new houses are planned -- the most ever. Latrines will be built, cotton and palm fruit will be harvested, the school will be expanded. So even with the restrictions imposed by the presence of Ebola in the country, progress can be made -- in some cases, unprecedented progress.
S.C.
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