The deputy health minister of Liberia, Tolbert Nyenswah, stated that a second person has died from the Ebola resurgence. More confirmed cases are currently being treated in other areas.
The Independent reported that the deadly disease resurfaced, with the first young male victim dying in June 2015. The second victim, a young woman, died on July 12. There are three other confirmed Ebola cases undergoing treatment in Monrovia. Until mid-July, various confirmed Ebola cases were reported, with most cases originating from Conakry and Freetown. In Nedowein, there are reportedly over 120 individuals being observed. The people under observation may be released after they finish 21 days of quarantine and do not present any signs of infection.
On May 9, 2015, Liberia supposedly eradicated Ebola completely, after the disease resulted to 4,800 deaths. Over 11,250 people died in Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea during the first outbreak. Ruth Tugbah, 44, was believed to be the last victim of the epidemic. Six weeks after her funeral, Liberia was declared free of transmission.
According to a Yahoo report, scientists stated that the resurgence of Ebola in Liberia may have originated from a survivor who is still carrying the virus, and not from travel.
The World Health Organization (WHO) indicated that the sample genetic sequence of the virus taken from the first 17-year-old victim from Margibidid not match the variants that were present in Sierra Leone and Guinea. The variant that killed him was actually the same as the one in the 2014 outbreak.
“Preliminary evidence from genomic sequencing strongly suggests that the most likely origin of transmission is a re-emergence of the virus from a survivor within Liberia,” the WHO stated.
Al Jazeera cited that the virus spreads via direct contact with a victim’s blood or other body fluids. The bodies of people who died from the virus are also highly infectious. Scientists previously presented how Ebola can survive in semen for several months if a patient is deemed healthy.
New Ebola vaccine trials commenced on July 15. “Prime-boost” immunizations are being developed by Johnson & Johnson, GlaxoSmithKline and Bavarian Nordic. The mid-stage trials are primarily intended to test the safety of the vaccines.
Nyenswah said that Liberia is still in control of the outbreak, because of its early action to observe contacts and immediately isolate patients. He added that it is a reason to celebrate when those under observation complete their quarantine.
More news and details about the Ebola resurgence will be available in the following weeks.
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