8 July 2014
West African countries and international health organizations adopt common strategy to fight Ebola epidemic
On 3 July, at a two-day conference in Accra, the capital of Ghana, West African countries and international health organizations adopted a new common strategy to fight the Ebola epidemic. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the virus has killed at least 467 people in Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia since February 2014.
Government officials committed to improve surveillance to detect cases of the disease, to intensify cross-border collaboration, to enhance engagement with local communities and to collaborate more closely with the WHO and other partners. Furthermore, ministers advised to establish a sub-regional control centre in Guinea to coordinate technical support. The decisions affect governments, the United Nations, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, aid organizations and the private sector. According to health ministers, it is essential that regional institutions like the African Union and the Economic Community of West African States direct the effort.
Source: Reuters | West African authorities adopt common strategy to fight Ebola