EBOLA EMERGENCY MEETING: IMMIDIATE ACTION TO AVOID PANIC
''We need to avoid panic and fear,'' Drive Against Malaria's Julia Samuel said during an emergency meeting last weekend. ''With recources, knowledge, early action and willpower, people can survive the outbreak. We need all hands on deck to deal with the situation, and we must at all costs avoid panic. ''
An Ebola outbreak in Nigeria
The World Health Organisation has said that the Ebola outbreak in Nigeria - close to Drive Against Malaria's (DAM) projects in Cameroon - could spread wide and fast. The arrival of the virus in the oil-producing hub of Port Hartcourt, only 178 kilometres West of DAM's project Bakassi showed multiple high-risk opportunities for virus transmission. A Port Hartcourt doctor and another patient here are now dead. About 60 other people are under surveillance after having 'high risk' contact with the infected doctor. More than 140 others are being monitored.
Other diseases can be mistaken for Ebola
Due to its early symptoms, Ebola can often be confused with other more common infectious diseases such as malaria, typhoid fever, meningococcemia, bacterial infections, including pneumonia. For instance, a 31-year-old Bakassi citizen recently returned from a trip to Nigeria, where people have died in the current outbreak, and was tested and treated for Ebola-like symptoms. However, DAM's regional health services said last weekend that he was in fact sick with malaria.
We must prevent rumours, misunderstandings and panic
Most of the people in this part of the world had never heard of Ebola before. In this environment, unfounded fears and rumours spread quickly and widely. More than ever, it is crucial that families have both the means and the right information to protect themselves and prevent dangerous misunderstandings.
The Minister of Health strengthens preparations
''With regards to our country Cameroon, no suspected case has been reported as of now,'' said Cameroon Minister of Health Andre Mama Fouda. ''But in preparation for a possible emergence of the disease, surveillance has been strengthened in all health districts at the borders, particularly at the level of the health posts.''
DAM steps up its prevention efforts
In collaboration with local partners, Drive Against Malaria is stepping up efforts to design culturally-sensitive communication strategies and raise awareness of Ebola at the grassroots level in Bakassi and at DAM's other health projects close to the border with Nigeria. DAM is also providing critical prevention supplies such as Personal Protective Equipment Kits, chlorine, and gloves to the people in the border area.
