UNICEF gives update on new Ebola outbreak in Guinea

The government of Guinea has declared a new outbreak of the Ebola virus, with five reported deaths since the announcement on Sunday. In response to this urgent situation, the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF) has been actively working with health authorities in Guinea to provide technical and logistical support. Pierre Ngom, the UNICEF Representative for Guinea, shared insights on the current developments during an interview with CNBC Africa. Ngom commended the swift action taken by the government in contrast to the 2014-2016 Ebola epidemic, where there was a lack of information and action. As soon as the first case was identified, the government called for a meeting of all partners and promptly declared an Ebola epidemic in Guinea. The Ministry of Health deployed investigation teams to the field for assessments and contact tracing. Ngom highlighted that between the declaration of the epidemic and the present day, the teams have traced approximately 192 contacts of the initial cases, showcasing an efficient response. Multiple international organizations, including UNICEF, are actively involved in the response efforts. UNICEF's team in Guinea is focusing on risk communication, community engagement, water, sanitation, hygiene (WASH), distribution of dignity kits, and other support interventions. Additionally, partners specializing in Ebola vaccination, such as the World Health Organization (WHO), are working to swiftly bring vaccines into the country. It is expected that around 20,000 doses of Ebola vaccine will arrive in Guinea by the end of the week. Logistical challenges remain a concern, with the epicenter of the outbreak located in a remote area that takes two days to reach by road. However, efforts to overcome logistical barriers are underway, including the use of UN Humanitarian Air Service (UNHAS) flights to transport equipment and experts to the affected region. Ngom expressed optimism that these logistical issues will be addressed to enhance the effectiveness of the response. In the face of multiple ongoing epidemics, including yellow fever, polio, and measles, UNICEF's scope of work in Guinea extends to various critical areas. The organization is heavily involved in risk communication, community engagement, WASH, infection prevention and control, pediatric care, social studies, and the provision of supplies and logistics support. Ngom emphasized the importance of clarifying misinformation and beliefs surrounding Ebola causation and prevention to ensure that communities are well-informed and engaged in the response efforts. Collaboration and coordination among all partners and the government are vital components of an effective response to such outbreaks. Ngom stressed the significance of interagency collaboration to avoid complications and competition in the response efforts. He emphasized the need for complementarity among agencies with specialized roles to ensure a cohesive and supportive response to the Ebola outbreak in Guinea. As Guinea continues to navigate the challenges posed by the new Ebola outbreak amid the backdrop of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, UNICEF remains committed to working closely with health authorities and partners to provide the necessary support to curb the spread of the virus and protect the health and well-being of the population.