Peace Corps, Samaritan’s Purse leaving West Africa because of ‘increasing spread of the Ebola virus’
The immensity of the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) outbreak in West Africa has made some volunteer and humanitarian agencies decide to pull out of the “hot zone” countries of that area of Africa.
Public domain image/Mondo Magic
The Peace Corps announced Wednesday that it is temporarily removing its volunteers from Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea due to the increasing spread of the Ebola virus.
There are currently 102 volunteers in Guinea working in the areas of education, agriculture and health; and 108 volunteers in Liberia and 130 volunteers in Sierra Leone working in education.
A determination on when volunteers can return will be made at a later date.
In addition to the Peace Corps, Boone, NC based Christian International Relief organization, Samaritan’s Purse decided yesterday to curtail operations in Liberia due to instability and ongoing security issues in the area.
The agency does say essential medical staff are remaining on site to treat patients.
On Wednesday, Samaritan’s Purse announced that two workers in the West African country of Liberia who have been battling Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) infections, Dr. Kent Brantly and Nancy Writebol, have shown slight improvement in their battles with Ebola infection.
The World Health Organization Regional Office for Africa updated the Ebola case and death count yesterday. Between 24 and 27 July 2014, a total of 122 new cases as well as 57 deaths were reported from Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea and Nigeria.
Related: Ebola: Sierra Leone declares ‘State of Public Emergency’
This brings the totals since the first cases were seen in Guinea in February to 1,323, including 729 deaths. For more infectious disease news and information, visit and “like” the Infectious Disease News Facebook page
UPDATE: Samaritan’s Purse update: Dr. Brantly takes ‘slight turn for the worse’
