Ebola Virus Disease in West Africa: 203 Cases, 129 Deaths
As of April 17, 2014, the Ministry of Health (MOH) of Guinea has reported a cumulative total of 203 clinical cases of Ebola virus disease (EVD), including 129 deaths. To date, 158 patients have been tested for ebolavirus infection and 109 cases have been laboratory confirmed, including 61 deaths. In addition, 41 cases (34 deaths) meet the probable case definition for EVD and 53 cases (34 deaths) are classified as suspected cases. Twenty-four healthcare workers (HCWs) have been affected (18 confirmed), with 15 deaths (11 confirmed).
Clinical cases of EVD have been reported from Conakry (50 cases, including 20 deaths), Guekedou (120/83), Macenta (22/16), Kissidougou (6/5), Dabola (4/4) and Djingaraye (1/1). Laboratory confirmed cases and deaths have been reported from Conakry (36 cases, including 15 deaths), Guekedou (58/34), Macenta (13/10), Kissidougou (1/1) and Dabola (1/1). These updated figures include 4 new cases isolated on 17 April, one of whom is laboratory confirmed, and 4 deaths among existing cases; 3 of the deaths were patients with confirmed EVD. Twenty-nine (29) patients are currently in isolation in Conakry (17), Guekedou (11) and Macenta (1), while 15 patients who recovered from their illness were discharged from hospital. The female: male ratio among confirmed cases is 1.2 : 1. The median age of 198 clinical cases for whom the age is known is 35 years and the age breakdown is 0-19 years (11%), 20-59 years (72%) and 60 and over (11%).
Contact tracing activities continue in all affected areas. A total of 230 contacts are currently under medical observation and 53 have completed their 21 days of follow-up. Seven contacts who developed symptoms continue in isolation as a precautionary measure.
Efforts to increase public health awareness continue. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Guinea convened a meeting with a number of diplomatic missions on April 18 where the Minister of Health, supported by the World Health Organization (WHO) Representative, WHO Country Office for Guinea, and WHO EVD Response Coordinator, briefed the meeting. WHO and the Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network are in the process of deploying additional experts to support activities in case management, infection prevention and control, contact tracing, social mobilization and psychosocial support.
Numbers of cases and contacts remain subject to change due to consolidation of cases, contact and laboratory data, enhanced surveillance and contact tracing activities and the continuing laboratory investigations.
Source: WHO
CDC Urges Vigilance: New Recommendations for Monitoring and Testing H5N1 Exposures
July 11th 2025With avian influenza A(H5N1) infections surfacing in both animals and humans, the CDC has issued updated guidance calling for aggressive monitoring and targeted testing to contain the virus and protect public health.
IP LifeLine: Layoffs and the Evolving Job Market Landscape for Infection Preventionists
July 11th 2025Infection preventionists, once hailed as indispensable during the pandemic, now face a sobering reality: budget pressures, hiring freezes, and layoffs are reshaping the field, leaving many IPs worried about their future and questioning their value within health care organizations.
A Helping Hand: Innovative Approaches to Expanding Hand Hygiene Programs in Acute Care Settings
July 9th 2025Who knew candy, UV lights, and a college kid in scrubs could double hand hygiene adherence? A Pennsylvania hospital’s creative shake-up of its infection prevention program shows that sometimes it takes more than soap to get hands clean—and keep them that way.
