Despite Signs Of Slowing Epidemic, Experts Warn Ebola Outbreak Not Over, Note Challenges To Reach Zero Cases

Newsweek: Another Ebola Outbreak ‘Inevitable’
“Doctors and experts say another Ebola outbreak is ‘inevitable,’ unless the international community unites around a long-term, common approach to combat the disease in the future and substantial investment is made into the health services of affected developing countries…” (Phillips, 2/6).

New York Times: Small Rise in New Cases Shows Ebola Hanging On
“Officials from the United Nations and the World Health Organization expressed concern on Thursday over data showing the first weekly rise in new Ebola cases this year, countering the downward trend in the disease that has ravaged three West African nations…” (Gladstone, 2/5).

Reuters: Secret burials thwarting efforts to stamp out Ebola: U.N.
“Efforts to stamp out West Africa’s Ebola epidemic are being thwarted by villagers touching and washing the infectious bodies of dead victims at secret burials and difficulty in tracing those exposed to the virus, U.N. officials said on Thursday…” (Nebehay, 2/5).

U.N. News Centre: ‘Last mile in fight against Ebola will be the hardest,’ says senior U.N. relief official
“The international community’s mobilization in the global Ebola response has been ‘very impressive and effective’ but efforts to reach zero cases must continue unabated, a top United Nations humanitarian official has confirmed…” (2/5).

Washington Post: Guinea, the ground zero of the Ebola outbreak, now hopes the end is near
“…A year after the Ebola epidemic started here, Guinea hopes it is finally close to extinguishing the outbreak. Government officials say their goal is to wipe out the disease within 60 days, through the diligent tracing of anyone who has come into contact with an Ebola patient. But health experts warn that Guinea may face a far harder time eliminating the disease than did its neighbors because of its geographic size, its large population — bigger than that of Liberia and Sierra Leone combined — and a public that has resisted the message that Ebola is real…” (Brittain, 2/5).

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