WHO stresses risks of outbreaks with new Ebola case in Sierra Leone

The World Health Organization (WHO) announced on Friday that a new case of Ebola has been confirmed in the West African country of Sierra Leone.

The government of Sierra Leone acted swiftly to address the new case through the nation’s new emergency operations center and a joint team of local authorities. The WHO, along with various partners, is investigating the origin of the case while implementing control measures to isolate any further transmission of the virus.

“We are now at a critical period in the Ebola epidemic as we move from managing cases and patients to managing the residual risk of new infections,” WHO’s Special Representative for the Ebola Response Dr. Bruce Aylward said. “We still anticipate more flare-ups and must be prepared for them.”

Sierra Leone is currently under a 90-day period of enhanced surveillance following the declaration of the end of ebola transmission on November 7. The surveillance period serves to ensure no further transmission of the virus occurs.

The WHO stressed that neighboring countries such as Guinea and Liberia are are at high risk of additional small outbreaks due to persistent cases popping up throughout the region.