Ebola update: Number of deaths at 70, Senegal closes border
According to a World Health Organization update today, as of 28 March, the total number of suspected and confirmed cases in the on-going Ebola Hemorrhagic Fever (EHF) outbreak in Guinea has increased to 112, including 70 deaths (Case Fatality Rate 62.5%).
To date 24 clinical samples from Guinea have tested positive by PCR for the ebolavirus in samples from cases in Conakry (11), Guékédou (6) and Macenta (7). In addition, Liberia has reported 2 laboratory confirmed cases in persons who had traveled to Guinea.
New suspected cases have been reported from Conakry (4 cases), Guékédou (4), Macenta (1) and Dabola (1) prefectures. The date of hospital admission of the most recent suspected case is 28 March.
Both Sierra Leone and Liberia have revised down the number of suspected cases reported previously. Liberia reported that 3 persons from Guékédou developed symptoms and signs suggestive of EHF and died in Liberia. Pre-mortem samples collected from these cases tested positive for ebolavirus at the Institut Pasteur (IP) Dakar mobile laboratory in Conakry.
Sierra Leone has identified 2 suspected cases, both of whom died. All of the confirmed and suspected cases reported by Liberia and Sierra Leone had travelled to Guinea before illness onset. Investigations into these suspected cases are on-going. No new suspected cases have been reported from either Liberia or Sierra Leone.
Neighboring Senegal closed its border with Guinea because of the “raging outbreak”, according to a Le Soleil Online report today (computer translated).
“The interior minister informed the people that due to the Ebola fever raging in the Republic of Guinea and in the context of prevention, the boundaries of the regions of Kolda (south) and Kédougou (southeast) with the neighboring country are closed until further notice.
“The governors said regions have taken all necessary measures for the effective implementation of this decision.”
For more infectious disease news and information, visit and “like” the Infectious Disease News Facebook page and the Outbreak News This Week Radio Show page.
Follow me on Twitter @bactiman63