Posted on 10/06/2014 11:11:19 AM PDT by SeekAndFind
US teams are headed to Nigeria to learn about its success in using 'contact tracing' – a significant practical step that limited the spread of the virus.
NAIROBI, KENYA — The possibility that Ebola would reach and spread in Nigeria was broached with great trepidation by public health experts. Nigeria is Africa’s most populous country. It is currently failing to contain an Islamist insurgency in the northeast, and prospects for controlling a fearful virus seemed bleak – particularly in Lagos, the nation’s coastal megacity and transport hub.
But those doubts proved wrong. This week, teams of American health officials are Lagos-bound to learn from Nigeria's experience in defying expectations and stopping the outbreak before it could wreak havoc.
Since July 20, the day Nigeria’s so-called “Patient Zero” arrived in Lagos, officials have recorded a total of only 19 cases, with no new cases since Aug. 31. Last week, on the same day the US confirmed its first case of Ebola, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) proclaimed that Nigeria had stopped its outbreak.
Meanwhile, Sierra Leone, one of three West African countries hard hit by Ebola, recorded 81 new cases in the past 24 hours.
"[B]ecause of a rapid public health response, effectively tracking nearly 900 contacts, it appears they have] been able to stop the outbreak in Nigeria,” CDC Director Tom Frieden said Sunday. “Though we can't give the all clear yet, it does look like the outbreak is over there. I'm confident that wherever we apply the fundamental principles of infection control in public health, we can stop Ebola."
Nigeria’s success appears to be rooted in "contact tracing" – determining every single person that Patrick Sawyer, or Patient Zero, had contact with, and then monitoring them for signs of the virus.
(Excerpt) Read more at csmonitor.com ...
When you live close to the problem you think more clearly.
Our Obamacared medical system is seeking help from Nigeria?!
That’s true, but they’re also probably lying through their teeth. It’s a big country and its government is busy not being able to deal with Boko Haram, so if Da Boss says there’s no problem...there’s no problem.
I hope that’s one of the things these researchers are investigating.
Nigerians lie? Gee, I thought they had an international reputation for truthfulness and straight dealing!
“Just click on the attachment to this email and we will teach you the secret of containing Ebola.”
Sort of like how the US 'solves' its unemployment problem - you just define it away.
Dear sir or madam
My name is Doctor Mnbungubongo and I am write in effort to enlists your help developing ebola treatment for those who suffering affects of terrible disease.......
:-)
” It is currently failing to contain an Islamist insurgency in the northeast,”
With the Islamic terrorists still active, they could easily weaponize infected bed linens, etc. to restart Ebola wherever they want. One of the terrorists may need to “martyr” themselves, but so what. They think 72 virgins await them.
Exactly. That said, Nigeria probably had more Western medical influence than a lot of other places there and also may have had better infrastructure (well, what hasn’t been destroyed by the Muslims) than Sierra Leone or Liberia. So maybe they did respond in a better way...I’d trust but verify!
A link to this thread has been posted on the Ebola Surveillance Thread
This is no different than the beginning of Aids...which we didn't control because then we would be homophobes.
PC is killing us!!
“Ethiopia, one of two countries recognized by the World Health Organization as prepared for a possible Ebola outbreak, also has a vigorous tracing process that applies to every visitor from West Africa.”
This is what we should be doing——EVERY visitor from West Africa. (Of course there is always that pesky wide open southern border)
.
You think while the Americans officials are there they could check on the $15,000,000 I was promised by the daughter of a high ranking official who wanted to deposit the money into my personal bank account.... I gave her my information and still n o money. I think it might be a scam :)
They stopped flights and shut down their border.
Rocket science.
Fixed it.
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