EBOLA/EVD [to 7 November 2015]
Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC); “Threat to international peace and security” (UN Security Council)

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Ebola Situation Report – 4 November 2015
[Excerpt]
SUMMARY
:: One new confirmed case of Ebola virus disease (EVD) was reported from Guinea in the week to 1 November. The case is the newborn child of a 25-year-old woman who was confirmed as a case in the prefecture of Forecariah during the previous week. The child was delivered in an Ebola treatment centre (ETC) in Conakry, and is currently undergoing treatment. The mother died after giving birth. Her other two young children were also confirmed as cases during the previous week and are receiving treatment. The 3 confirmed cases reported the previous week generated a large number of high-risk contacts in Forecariah who are now entering the second week of their 21-day post-exposure follow-up period. On 1 November there were 382 contacts under follow-up in Guinea (compared with 364 the previous week), 141 of whom are high-risk. Therefore there remains a near-term risk of further cases among both registered and untraced contacts. Sierra Leone reported zero cases for a seventh consecutive week, and will be declared free of EVD transmission on 7 November if no further cases are reported.

:: Case incidence has remained at 5 confirmed cases or fewer per week for 14 consecutive weeks. Over the same period, transmission of the virus has been geographically confined to several small areas in western Guinea and Sierra Leone, marking a transition to a distinct, third phase of the epidemic. The phase-3 response coordinated by the Interagency Collaboration on Ebola builds on existing measures to drive case incidence to zero, and ensure a sustained end to EVD transmission. Enhanced capacity to rapidly identify a reintroduction (either from an area of active transmission or from an animal reservoir), or re-emergence of virus from a survivor, and capacity for testing and counselling as part of a comprehensive package to safeguard the welfare of survivors are central to the phase-3 response framework…

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Statement on the end of the Ebola outbreak in Sierra Leone
Delivered by Dr Anders Nordström, WHO Representative in Sierra Leone

Today, 7 November 2015, the World Health Organization declares the end of the Ebola outbreak in Sierra Leone.

Since Sierra Leone recorded the first Ebola case on 24 May 2014, a total number of 8,704 people were infected and 3,589 have died. From those who tragically lost their lives, 221 of them were healthcare workers. We remember them all today.

We are now moving into a new phase of 90 days enhanced surveillance which will run until 5 February 2016. This new phase is critical as our goal is to ensure a resilient zero and that we can detect and respond to any potential Ebola flare ups. This period is about ensuring that we can consolidate the gains of existing systems to manage future risks.
The World Health Organization commends the Government of Sierra Leone and the people of Sierra Leone for the significant achievement of ending this Ebola outbreak.

The world had never faced an Ebola outbreak of this scale and magnitude and the world has neither seen a nation mobilizing its people and resources as Sierra Leone did. The power of the people of Sierra Leone is the reason why we could put an end to this outbreak today.

This power of the people and the foundation now in place needs to be further nurtured and supported in order to build a strong and resilient public health system which stands ready to contain the next outbreak of a disease, Ebola or any other public health threat.

Under the leadership of the Sierra Leonean Government, an effective response was initiated to manage the outbreak. The use of rapid response teams and strong community involvement to identify new cases early and quickly stop any Ebola virus transmission should continue to be the cornerstone of the national response strategy.
WHO will maintain an enhanced staff presence in Sierra Leone as the response transitions from outbreak control, to support enhanced vigilance and to the recovery of essential health services.

The Ebola outbreak has decimated families, the health system, the economy and social structures. All need to recover and heal.

WHO is confident that the Government of Sierra Leone together with its national and international partners will use the foundation already in place; dedicated and trained health workers; systems for alerts and information management; community engagement and care for people – to deal with other priority health problems, child mortality topping the list.

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CDC/MMWR/ACIP Watch [to 7 November 2015]
http://www.cdc.gov/media/index.html

World Health Organization Declares Sierra Leone Free of Ebola Virus Transmission
On November 7, 2015, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared Sierra Leone free of Ebola virus transmission. This date marked 42 days (two 21-day incubation periods) from the release of the last known patient with Ebola from a Sierra Leone Ebola treatment unit (ETU).

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) celebrates the extraordinary efforts of those in Sierra Leone whose hard work, commitment and dedication to stopping Ebola transmission has brought the country this far. CDC’s work in Sierra Leone will continue even after the Ebola outbreak is considered over.

With the support of CDC and many other partners, Sierra Leone has a stronger disease surveillance and response system in place for suspected Ebola cases, and the country remains vigilant in its efforts to stay at zero cases. CDC and U.S. government partners will continue to support Sierra Leone in assisting survivors and rebuilding the country’s public health infrastructure.

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UNICEF [to 7 November 2015]
http://www.unicef.org/media/media_78364.html

UNICEF welcomes end of Ebola outbreak in Sierra Leone, calls for more support to 11,500+ affected children
FREETOWN, Sierra Leone, 7 November 2015 – The WHO declaration marking the end of the Ebola outbreak in Sierra Leone today is welcomed by UNICEF as a major victory for the large-scale and coordinated 18-month response. But enhanced surveillance must continue so that the country is ready for any possible future outbreaks, and work must also intensify to support those affected by the outbreak and to build a resilient recovery.

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World Bank [to 7 November 2015]
http://www.worldbank.org/en/news/all

Statement by World Bank Group President on Declaration of End of Ebola Transmission in Sierra Leone
WASHINGTON, November 7, 2015 –World Bank Group President Jim Yong Kim issued the following statement on today’s announcement declaring the end of Ebola transmission in Sierra Leone.

“My colleagues and I at the World Bank Group congratulate the government and people of Sierra Leone for their tireless efforts to reach this critical milestone in the long fight against Ebola.

“Still, we are also mindful of the staggering human and economic costs of the Ebola epidemic, as well as the need for continued vigilance as some cases remain in the region. We remember the nearly 4,000 people – including more than 220 heroic health workers – in Sierra Leone who lost their lives, those who lost their loved ones, and the many survivors still in need of support.

“The World Bank Group remains committed to supporting Sierra Leone, Liberia and Guinea as they work to bring this deadly epidemic to a final end, to recover and rebound. We will do everything we can to help these countries and the world prevent another deadly pandemic.”

About the World Bank Group Response to Ebola
The World Bank Group has mobilized US$1.62 billion in financing for Ebola response and recovery efforts. This total includes US$1.17 billion from IDA, the World Bank Group’s fund for the poorest countries and at least US$450 million from IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, to enable trade, investment and employment. In Sierra Leone, the WBG’s IDA financing totaling US$318 million includes support for more than 9,000 Ebola survivors.

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WHO Director-General addresses Princeton – Fung Global Forum on lessons learned from the Ebola crisis
Dr Margaret Chan, Director-General of the World Health Organization
Keynote address at the Princeton – Fung Global Forum, Dublin, Ireland
2 November 2015

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WHO “Stories from Countries”
Ebola: Then and Now – Rick Brennan 3 November 2015
Ebola: Then and Now – Saffea Gborie 3 November 2015
Ebola: Then and Now – David Nabarro 3 November 2015
Ebola: Then and Now – Suvi Peltoniemi 3 November 2015
Ebola: Then and Now – Bruce Aylward 1 November 2015