HIGHLIGHTS
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No new cases were reported in Sierra Leone in the period from 17 to 30 September 2015.
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The Guinean district of Forécariah, at the border with Sierra Leone, reported four new cases on 26 and 27 September 2015, more than 42 days after the last confirmed case. There were more than 300 contacts under follow-up in Forécariah as of 27 September 2015. In light of the proximity to the district of Kambia, social mobilization activities have been reinforced to sensitize border communities on Ebola related messaging.
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As of 29 September 2015, all contacts in the district of Kambia have been discharged from quarantine while in the village of Rubaya, in Bombali district, 761 contacts from 77 households remain under quarantine, including 161 children under the age of five and 18 pregnant women. UNICEF continues to support the provision of essential services to the households under quarantine.
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In Bombali district, UNICEF and the District Education Office (DEO) provided education and technical material support to 70 primary and junior secondary school children (42 boys and 28 girls). Lesson notes and 16 solar radios were distributed to the children to allow them to continue their studies and access the radio education program during the quarantine period. UNICEF also provided support to 26 children that were scheduled to take the National Primary School exam on 26 September 2015. UNICEF advocated for the children to be allowed to sit-in for their exams and a special examination was organized in the village.
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Torrential rains in the Western Area and in the districts of Bo, Pujehun, and Bonthe caused heavy flooding and extensive damage to homes and property. Many residents were left without shelter and several fatalities were confirmed. UNICEF is supporting the response in the areas of WASH, health, nutrition, protection, education and social mobilization to ensure sensitization of the displaced on key Ebola related messaging.
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UNICEF, together with WHO and MSF, supported the Ministry of Health and Sanitation (MoHS) to carry out a rapid needs assessment of the stadiums in Freetown where the displaced from the floods are being sheltered. The findings indicated gaps in accommodation and sanitation as well as the need to decongest the camps to ensure proper infection prevention and control.