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         Sierra Leone President to Visit Areas Hard-Hit by Ebola Friday

   by Peter Clottey

   Sierra Leone President Ernest Bai Koroma plans on Friday to visit parts
   of the country that have been severely affected by Ebola. The move is
   part of the government's efforts to combat the spread of the virus,
   according to Abdulai Bayraytay, spokesman for the administration.

   "The president will be traveling to lead the social mobilization
   [effort in] the rest of the country, starting in the north," an trip
   which Bayraytay said includes flying to Kambia, then going by road to
   Port Loko, Lunsar, Makeni and Tonkolili.

   He said congratulations are likely in order for parts of the south,
   including Pujehun district.

   "The reason being," he explained, "is they have not been recording any
   case of confirmed Ebola for the past 41 days. So, tomorrow if the trend
   continues and if we go by what World Health Organization is saying,
   then Pujehun should be declared Ebola-free."

   He said the government has also decided to extend by two weeks a
   program to contain the virus in the western part of the country. The
   first phase of the program ended on December 31.

   The second phase is a collaborative effort between the Ministry of
   Health and Sanitation and other partners.

   "In just two weeks we were able to account for 994 [suspected] cases
   [which] were all transported to holding centers just for the western
   area." So far, he said, 263 positive have tested positive. "So this is
   a clear indication that if we [successfully] stepped up the effort
   particularly in the western area...I think we will be able to do more,"
   said Bayraytay.

   Phase two will also include the creation of flyers and billboards, and
   the purchase of other material to address the public. It will also see
   an increase in surveillance and in the number of officials to trace the
   infection rate.  And, the effort encourages residents to report to
   health officials Ebola infections in an effort to contain the virus at
   the community level.

   Bayraytay said the government has also made nationwide progress in
   controlling the virus. He said the numbers are apparent at treatment
   centers.

   "Out of the 263 confirmed cases, because .....they were given
   supportive care....we had [a survival rate of up to] 80 percent. So
   that is the message we want to drive home," said Bayraytay.

   He said government officials will meet representatives from the WHO,
   UNICEF and other partners to step up efforts to recruit and train
   locals in the fight against the disease.

   He said the President of Mauritania Mohamed Ould Abdel Aziz, who is
   also current chairman of the African Union, donated $300,000 to the
   government in Freetown to help the fight the virus.
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   [1]http://www.voanews.com/content/sierra-leone-president-to-visit-ebola
   -areas-friday/2591402.html

References

   1. http://www.voanews.com/content/sierra-leone-president-to-visit-ebola-areas-friday/2591402.html