Monrovia (Liberia), August 2014 - The World Health Organization (WHO) appealed to community leaders in Montserrado county, Liberia, to adopt control measures to stop the Ebola outbreak, that has already claimed 355 lives by killing many among confirmed, probable and suspected cases in the country since March 2014. The epidemic also affects Guinea, Sierra Leone and Nigeria, being the highest ever known in number of cases and deaths. 

“You and we are able to stop the epidemic. Community members are key to stop this epidemic”, emphasized the WHO Representative in Liberia, Dr Nestor Ndayimirije, during a meeting with over 50 community leaders, including religious leaders, organized by the Ministry of Health and partners working on the response of the outbreak. 

Dr Ndayimirije said that it is important to be united in this outbreak and disseminate the main messages to all the community. “Welcome health teams that come to the country to help you, the life of your people is on your hands. And remember: do not touch any person who is suspected or confirmed with Ebola, do not touch fluids from that person, do not touch any dead person and tell people not to hide if they are suspect or are contacts”, he underlined.    

During the meeting, the participants showed their interest to collaborate in the response against Ebola. Many of them asked several questions and expressed their concerns about the treatment of dead bodies, the speed of the response, the screening on airports, the rumors and fears that affect them and the best ways to make aware their communities. “This disease is very serious. We need to care for ourselves, and ensure mobilization and increasing sensitization are needed”, assured one of the participants. “Every dollar that enters to the country has to go to the right place”, said another community leader.

Ebola is a highly infectious disease and proper infection control practices are essential to prevent those treating Ebola patients from becoming infected themselves. The virus can be transmitted by contact with the blood, body fluids and tissues of infected animals or people.

As part of the response, WHO announced the West Africa Ebola Response Plan in conjunction with the governments of Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone to intensify the global, regional and national response to the outbreak.  Also, has established a Sub-regional Operations Centre in Conakry, Guinea, and has deployed more than 428 people in the affected countries.

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For more information, please contact: 

Maricel Seeger, Communications / Media
WHO Liberia 
Tel: 0880 048 865 / +231 880 048 865
Email:  seegerm [at] arg.ops-oms.org" target="_blank">seegerm [at] arg.ops-oms.org