UNIFICATION CITY, Margibi – Authorities in Margibi have announced that the number of confirmed Ebola cases in the county has risen to three since the new outbreak was announced on June 29.

The first victim Abraham Memaigar became sick in Nedowein, a small village in Margibi County. Margibi County Information Officer Festus Tarpah told The Bush Chicken that at present, there are so far three confirmed new cases and only one death. He said the two other confirmed cases are being treated at the ELWA Ebola Treatment Unit while another probable case is undergoing proper testing.

Mambahn-Kaba District Health Officer Joseph Saah said about twenty health workers at the Unification City Health Center and Charlesville Clinic were under quarantine for observation.

He said the health workers were on shift at their various centers and interacted with two of the confirmed cases prior to being diagnosed positive for the virus. However, Saah assured that the measure was only a precaution, noting that the health workers had on their personal protective equipment during their interaction with the two confirmed Ebola carriers.

Mambahn Kabbah Health District Officer Joseph Saah, Photo credit: Gbatemah Senah

Saah told The Bush Chicken that surveillance activities, including searching for new cases and increasing awareness in the community, were gaining momentum since the last five days. According to him, authorities were still investigating the cause of the first new outbreak.

“We are still trying to find out where this infection came from,” he said.

Saah wondered how the outbreak began when Margibi did not share a border with any of the affected countries. He said that the investigation had established that Memaigar did not travel outside of Margibi over the last six months. He added that if the cause of the infection is not established, “we still have more work to do.”

The Youth Spokesman for Nedowein, Christopher Dompu told The Bush Chicken that the information surrounding the source of the outbreak remains in confusion. He said all information concerning the first case focused on the consumption of dog meat that he and the others who are affected allegedly ate in the community.

Needorwein Youth Spokesman, Christopher Dompu, Photo credit: Gbatemah Senah

Dompu said the youth of the community were currently carrying out information surveys to help health workers establish the source of the outbreak.

He called on residents of Nedowein to continuously cooperate with health authorities and coordinating teams working to end the outbreak in the community.

“Our only strategy right now is to hold together and find a solution,” he said.

Kortu Koilor, a health advocate in Margibi, said he and some General Community Health Volunteers are currently spreading Ebola-preventive messages.

“Right now we are mobilizing the community to stick to the preventive methods, including regular hands washing,” he said.

Community youth Ebola Surveillance volunteers, Photo: Gbatemah Senah

He praised residents of the community for being cooperative and receptive to the safety messages so far. According to him, unlike during past outbreaks, inhabitants of the community are not showing many signs of denial of the existence of the virus.

Thomas Ballah, a community health volunteer, said contacts in connection with the affected individuals, including the deceased man, have been restricted to their homes and quarantined for 21 days of observation.

“If we know of someone who interacted with any of the affected persons or during the bereavement of the late Maimegar’s family, we have that person restricted and placed under observation,” he said.

Featured image courtesy of Gbatemah Senah