Ebola: Sierra Leone warns survivors about Bundibugyo strain
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Sierraloaded
Sierra Leone’s National Public Health Agency warns people who survived the 2014 Ebola outbreak that they may be infected by the Bundibugyo strain. Agency adviser Harold Thomas says immunity to the Zaire strain does not guarantee protection against this other variant, according to Sierraloaded.
Survivors of Sierra Leone’s 2014 Ebola outbreak remain vulnerable to infection with the Bundibugyo strain, Harold Thomas, risk communication adviser at the National Public Health Agency (NPHA), warned during an appearance on AYV television. He urged them not to regard a previous infection as protection against this strain, which is distinct from the one responsible for the 2014 outbreak.
That earlier outbreak, caused by the Zaire strain, killed nearly 4,000 people in Sierra Leone. Harold Thomas also warned against the belief that vaccines used against the Zaire strain, including Ervebo, protect against Bundibugyo. According to him, the latter can produce less pronounced symptoms in some cases, which could lead infected people to continue their activities and encourage transmission.
The NPHA recommends washing hands regularly and promptly visiting a health centre in the event of fever or unusual weakness. It also asks people to report any unusual bleeding and follow official instructions. The agency is working with the World Health Organization and neighbouring countries to strengthen surveillance, particularly at border crossing points.
Harold Thomas also called for improved access to health messages for vulnerable groups, particularly people with disabilities, and for community awareness campaigns to be strengthened. The alert comes amid regional surveillance of Ebola virus disease, after border and Freetown controls were strengthened.
