Rapid Response to Ebola Viral Disease in West Africa through Strengthening of Surveillance Systems and Disruption of Chain of Transmission Interventions

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Since the onset of EVD outbreak in West Africa, there have been over 23,000 reported confirmed, probably, and suspected cases of EVD in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone, with over 9000 reported deaths. In Liberia alone, there has been an estimated 9007 total cases resulting in 3900 deaths (WHO, February 18, 2015). This FOA will assist Liberia and its West Africa border countries of Sierra Leone and Guinea in intensifying its surveillance of EVD through training Epidemiologists at the local and National level, providing National Epidemiologist EVD subject matter experts to assist County field teams in their work; as well as provide logistical support, supplies and equipment for Epidemiology Field teams to be able to conduct EVD surveillance. Laboratory systems will be strengthened through the assistance of a Senior Laboratory Data specialist, upgrades to the Laboratory Data Integration systems, and provision of much needed laboratory supplies, reagents, and equipment. EVD Chain of Transmission activities will include assessment of facilities throughout the country; and epidemiological active surveillance country wide, at the county level. Health Care Workers and community health leaders will be trained on water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) activities, and infection prevention and control (IPC) activities.

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