Africa

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A yellow fever outbreak was detected in Luanda, Angola late in December 2015. The first cases were confirmed by the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) in South Africa on 19 January 2016 and by the Institut Pasteur Dakar (IP-D) on 20 January. Subsequently, a rapid increase in the number of cases has been observed.

CLICK HERE - FULL SITUATION REPORT AND ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

CLICK HERE - WHO - Yellow Fever

CLICK HERE - reliefweb - Angola

CLICK HERE - ECDC - Epidemiological update: Outbreak of yellow fever in Angola

By Memunatu Bangura

Deputy Minister of Health and Sanitation 1, Madina Rahman, has said that the current water crisis in Freetown and its environs might cause a cholera outbreak and other water borne diseases.

"Because of the areas where people go to fetch water, I am worried that we may experience water borne diseases," she noted.

Madam Rahman was updating newsmen last Thursday at a presser held at the Ministry of Information and Communications, Youyi building in Freetown.

She said the country was challenged by acute water shortage and that she was worried there could be a serious disease outbreak because people collect drinking water from unprotected sources without boiling or filtering.

She said about 1.8 million people die from cholera and other water borne diseases annually around the world, adding that it was a concern for the government.

The World Health Organization (WHO) declared the Republic of Guinea Ebola-free today.

The Njaluahun Development Organization (NJADO) on Friday 27th May 2016 awarded scholarships to 54 Ebola orphans in Segbwema Town, Njaluahun Chiefdom Kailahun District. The ceremony was held at the Segbwema Community Center. The scholarships which is estimated around two thousand United States Dollars is offered to improve the educational standards of the pupils whose parents/guardians died during the course of the Ebola scourge. Donation of special text books to 18 schools in Segbwema also formed part of the scholarship award.

In his opening statement, the Chairman of Ceremony, John Jauna who doubles as Lecturer of Njala University College, Bo Campus said the Ebola situation was rather unfortunate and therefore NJADO is in solidarity with the prevailing circumstances that led to the demise of many compatriots. He said one way anybody can help now is to give support to the victims. According to him, Njaluahun has many prominent people, but just few of them, including those in Diaspora decided to establish NJADO with the aim of give their unreserved support to Njaluahun.