Since the end of December, the countries of Liberia and Nigeria in West Africa have experienced significant outbreaks of the viral hemorrhagic disease Lassa fever.

Nigeria’s outbreak is the largest in that country in almost 50 years, with 102 people killed in just over four months. Liberia’s outbreak is growing fast as well, with 69 total suspected cases and 19 deaths distributed over six counties through the midsection of the country, and 25 of those cases, or 36 percent, have been detected just in the past month. At a case fatality rate of over 28 percent, concerns are growing that Lassa fever may soon become a significant public health emergency.

The virus that causes Lassa fever spreads primarily through human contact with a species of rodent that lives primarily in West Africa. The disease may also spread, however, through direct contact with body fluids of infected persons. Healthcare workers are at particular risk, with 27 confirmed in Nigeria to have been infected in the current outbreak. Personal protective equipment is extremely important in treatment and infection control efforts.

Direct Relief’s partner ELWA Hospital in Monrovia, Liberia, is seeing suspected Lassa fever patients and has engaged elevated infection control protocols, including expanded use of protective equipment for clinical staff.

Patients infected with Lassa become symptomatic roughly six to 21 days after initial exposure. The first stages of the disease express like many other viral fevers, with elevated temperature as well as body aches, vomiting, diarrhea and cough. If the disease goes untreated, it can enter an acute phase which results often in bleeding from the nose, mouth, vaginal tissues and other areas, with significant risk of death after 14 days.

Although there is no vaccination available for Lassa fever, it may be effectively treated with aggressive hydration, especially early in the disease, and administration of the antiviral drug Ribavirin.

Direct Relief maintains active partnerships throughout the affected area and will continue to monitor the situation to determine possible expanded needs for support.

The post Tracking West Africa’s Lassa Fever Outbreak appeared first on Direct Relief.

The shipments – valued at $4.8 million (wholesale) – contain items urgently requested by health workers in the field such as gloves, soap, IV fluids, and the antibiotic ciprofloxacin to help treat secondary bacterial infections.

The supplies are headed for Last Mile Health and ELWA Hospital in Liberia and Medical Research Centre (MRC) and Wellbody Alliance in Sierra Leone.

While the number of people who have died from Ebola is still rising, Direct Relief continues to hear word from the field that with the right supplies and staff in place, health partners are making a difference.

On Nov. 15, 54 Ebola survivors were discharged from the Hastings Treatment Centre, a facility that receives medical supplies in collaboration with MRC and Direct Relief. They follow 63 others who were discharged the previous week as well as a two week old baby – the youngest Ebola survivor – who was dispatched from the center in early November.

In an update from the Government of Sierra Leone, MRC Director Abdul Jalloh said the continued collaboration with Direct Relief has contributed immensely in complementing government efforts in the fight to contain Ebola.

Additionally, the Sierra Leone Ministry of Health and Sanitation sent a letter of thanks for the support, which was only possible because of people like you. Read the letter: Letter of Appreciation

Direct Relief thanks Airlink and UN Logistics Cluster for getting this shipment to the places where it is most needed.

The post More Ebola Aid Bound for Liberia and Sierra Leone appeared first on Direct Relief.

The shipment – valued at nearly $100,000 (wholesale) and weighing more than 13 tons – includes rehydration solutions, antibiotics and personal protective gear for use by medical staff treating Ebola.

According to John Ly, Medical Director at Last Mile Health, the oral rehydration solutions (ORS) from Ceralyte included in this donation are enough to provide 822 adults or 1,645 children each a week’s worth of ORS treatment.

The shipment also included birthing beds, gurneys, stools, walkers, IV stands, wheelchairs, exam lights, and prescription medications to treat ongoing and chronic conditions that persist amid the Ebola outbreak.

“Thanks again for all that you are doing and for all of the help that we have received from Direct Relief over the past year,” wrote Dr. John Fankhauser, Acting Hospital Administrator and Deputy Medical Director of ELWA Hospital in Monrovia, in an email. “Our needs at the hospital are significant.”

This shipment was made possible in part by a grant from the Paul G. Allen Family Foundation to AirLink to help establish an air bridge for Ebola response. Direct Relief and other response organizations coordinated a previous shipment of Ebola aid with AirLink, a disaster relief organization that helps its nonprofit partners connect with airlines for passenger and cargo transportation.

Today’s delivery follows last week’s shipment of 100 tons of medical aid to Liberia and Sierra Leone – the largest of U.S. origin since the outbreak began.

You can help send more Ebola relief shipments like these to people most in need. Donate here.

Learn more about the Ebola response.

The post Twelfth Shipment of Life-Saving Ebola Aid Arrives in Liberia appeared first on Direct Relief.

Among the patients are several of the very doctors and nurses who — in immense displays of courage and commitment – are working tirelessly to contain the epidemic, despite the risk.    

Today, we were sad to learn that Dr. Kent Brantly, 33, a colleague of Dr. John Fankhauser at Monrovia-based ELWA Hospital, is one such person.

Our thoughts are with Dr. Brantley, his family, as well as each health worker bravely fighting the virus’ spread, and our focus is on getting them the protective gear they need to care for their patients safely.

*Post updated July 29, 2014

***

As an Ebola outbreak spreads across West Africa, with 300 lives claimed since February, Direct Relief is working to ensure medical responders on the ground have the medicines and supplies they need to contain the epidemic.

This week, following an April delivery of face shields to protect hospital staff from exposure, Direct Relief equipped Dr. John Fankhauser with more than $50,000 in specifically-requested medical resources for his return to Monrovia, Liberia.

Ebola is an infectious and often fatal disease that results in fever and severe internal bleeding. There are no medications effective in curing the virus, but supportive hospital care can significantly increase survival.

Direct Relief will continue to support local providers who are working to care for those suffering from Ebola.

(The original post was published on June 25, 2014)

Related: Ebola Outbreak: Emergency Supplies Headed to Sierra Leone

The post Ebola Outbreak: Direct Relief Responds in West Africa appeared first on Direct Relief.