Fight against Ebola far from won in West Africa: UN mission chief
Ismael Ould Cheikh Ahmed warns the disease 'continues to be a global threat' despite an encouraging decline in new cases in Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone
Close to 1,000 new cases of Ebola were recorded in the last three weeks despite recent progress in fighting the disease in West Africa and “the fight is far from won,” the UN mission chief said on Tuesday.
Ismael Ould Cheikh Ahmed told the UN General Assembly that “Ebola continues to be a global threat.”
But he said “terrifying” and “credible projections” just three months ago that forecast up to 10,000 new cases per week by December never materialised because of the medical, logistical and financial response from countries around the world including almost US$2.5 billion in humanitarian aid.
“The epidemic has turned, and we are now beginning to see an overall decline in the number of new cases,” said Ahmed, the new head of the UN Mission for Ebola Emergency Response known as UNMEER.
Liberia has recorded the sharpest decline, from averaging over 300 cases a week in August and September to fewer than 10 per week today, he said by videoconference from Sierra Leone.
“With continued efforts and vigilance ... the goal of ending Ebola in Liberia is potentially within reach,” Ahmed said.