Ebola Virus Disease in West Africa: 224 Cases, 143 Deaths
As of April 26, 2014, the Ministry of Health (MOH) of Guinea has reported a cumulative total of 224 clinical cases of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD), including 143 deaths. To date, 202 patients have been tested for ebolavirus infection and 121 cases have been laboratory confirmed, including 74 deaths. In addition, 41 cases (34 deaths) meet the probable case definition for EVD and 62 cases (35 deaths) are classified as suspected cases. A revised number of 25 healthcare workers (HCW) have been affected (19 confirmed), with 16 deaths (12 confirmed); the number of HCW was previously reported as 26.
Clinical cases of EVD have been reported from Conakry (60 cases, including 24 deaths), Guekedou (131/93), Macenta (22/16), Kissidougou (6/5), Dabola (4/4) and Djingaraye (1/1). The 6 new cases reported since the update of 25 April were diagnosed in Conakry (2 cases) and Guekedou (4 cases). All 6 cases are laboratory confirmed.
The cumulative total of laboratory confirmed cases and deaths to date: Conakry (39 cases, including 19 deaths); Guekedou (67/43); Macenta (13/10); Kissidougou (1/1); and Dabola (1/1). The date of isolation of the most recent confirmed cases is 26 April in Conakry and Guekedou. Thirteen (13) patients are in isolation in Conakry (7 patients, all confirmed), Guekedou (6 patients, all confirmed). Contact tracing activities continue in Conakry and Guekedou. All the contacts from the other four outbreak locations have completed their 21 day medical surveillance period and have been discharged from follow up.
The numbers of cases and contacts remain subject to change due to consolidation of case, contact and laboratory data, enhanced surveillance activities and contact tracing activities.
As the incubation period for EVD can be up to three weeks, it is likely that the Guinean health authorities will report new cases in the coming weeks and additional suspected cases may also be identified in neighbouring countries.
The World Health Organization (WHO) does not recommend that any travel or trade restrictions be applied to Guinea based on the current information available for this event.
Source: WHO
Beyond the Surface: Rethinking Environmental Hygiene Validation at Exchange25
June 30th 2025Environmental hygiene is about more than just shiny surfaces. At Exchange25, infection prevention experts urged the field to look deeper, rethink blame, and validate cleaning efforts across the entire care environment, not just EVS tasks.
A Controversial Reboot: New Vaccine Panel Faces Scrutiny, Support, and Sharp Divides
June 26th 2025As the newly appointed Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) met for the first time under sweeping changes by HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr, the national spotlight turned to the panel’s legitimacy, vaccine guidance, and whether science or ideology would steer public health policy in a polarized era.
Getting Down and Dirty With PPE: Presentations at HSPA by Jill Holdsworth and Katie Belski
June 26th 2025In the heart of the hospital, decontamination technicians tackle one of health care’s dirtiest—and most vital—jobs. At HSPA 2025, 6 packed workshops led by experts Jill Holdsworth and Katie Belski spotlighted the crucial, often-overlooked art of PPE removal. The message was clear: proper doffing saves lives, starting with your own.
