Ebola status West Africa

[rkubin999]

Hi folks,

does anyone have any current info on travel conditions and possible restrictions/border closings in Guinea and Sierra Leone? Latest WHO reports indicate 964 cases and 603 deaths. However, WHO does not recommend travel or trade restrictions. We are planning to head south from Mauritania in late Nov., through Kayes, into Senegal at Kidara, into Guinea on the N8 to Mali (town in Guinea), explore the Fouta Djalon area, then head south into Sierra Leone and Freetown, where we are planning to do some volunteer work.

any info would be appreciated!

thanks, Rick.

[Dave The Hat]

As it stands, no, all borders are open to the best of my knowledge.

Senegal closed it's border with Guinea back in April, but it opened again a few weeks later.

Mauritania closed all borders with Senegal back in April too EXCEPT for Rosso and Diama, these crossings remained open.

Absolutely no reports of other borders closing to date, but note:

- Sierra Leone said it closed all of its borders to 'trade' about 6-7 weeks ago. I presume that means what it means (cargo), as it appears people are still crossing at main borders

- It is worth noting that the Ivorian government refused to take 400 refugees back into the country from Liberia a few weeks back, citing the ebola threat as a concern. However, there is possibly a political edge to this decision too (refugess are possible Gbagbo supporters). No reports that the border has closed.

It is a very mixed affair with the latest ebola news. By far the area of greatest concern is the east of Sierra Leone (Kaliahun and Kenema area), and also in Lofa country in Liberia.

Guinea is reporting much less cases in recent weeks, and indeed MSF have closed the treatment centres in Telimele and Macenta due to no new cases for 21 days. However, the lack of new cases in Guinea could be because locals are not attending clinics any longer out of fear. It is too difficult to judge.

Even so, the biggest outbreak in Guinea was and remains in the forest region around Gueckadou. The smaller outbreaks in Boffa, Telimele, Dabola, Karoussa etc appear to be contained. It still rumbles on in Conakry but at a relatively low level considering it was first reported there in March.

There is no certainty what will happen next with regards if the outbreak will be contained, but there does appear to have been a significant push over the past 2-3 weeks to address the failures of the past few months in doing more to stop it spreading. Time will tell.

Authorities all say the risk to travellers is considered quite low as long as sensible precautions are taken.

[rkubin999]

thanks Dave!

We are hopeful that things are now getting under control. A friend that leads the Develop Africa non-profit provided the following link for updates from Sierra Leone ministry of health:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Minis...81064805403702

[priffe]

Originally Posted by Dave The Hat

Mauritania closed all borders with Senegal back in April too EXCEPT for Rosso and Diama, these crossings remained open.

What other crossings are there?

[Dave The Hat]

True Priffe! I do believe there are numerous others along the length of the border (I've heard that locals cross close to Kaedi and Bababe), but they're probably only for locals.

[priffe]

Yeah they do, but only in pirogues

[priffe]

A Swedish couple are stranded in Kenema, Sierra Leone, after the city has been placed in quarantaine.
500 locals have died, and 15 aid workers of them four doctors. 3-4 new cases every day. Borders closed.
Is it getting out of control?
Svenskar är fast i Sierra Leone | Nyheter | Aftonbladet (use google translate )

[Dave The Hat]

It looks worse every day with the latest news, truly heartbreaking for the people of the region.

I do hope now the meeting of the Mano union in Conakry have agreed to quarantine zones that it will slow the spread. Though how well this will be managed is anyones guess, it's not difficult to slip past check points in these remote areas.

Priffe, you wrote that 500 have died from ebola in Kenema, S Leone. That figure is nearly double official figures for the entire country, let alone Kenema (I know official figures can not necessarily be relied upon)....but double the death toll is a very striking amount.

Is there any evidence to suggest that is an accurate figure?

[priffe]

Dunno...those numbers are from the tabloid article. But they come from the Swedish couple who are in Kenema. Lots of people are scared of going to the hospitals, treating those afflicted in the home, which means families are at risk.
Then there are rumours spread that white doctors are behind the epidemic. Leading to threats to their lives and burning the hospitals.
Doesn't look good.

[rndef]

It seems that finally they've (international community) understood the problem!

WHO accelerates $100 million anti-Ebola drive - UPI.com

Let's hope everything get's better real soon, particularly for the West Africans!

[priffe]

Why Ebola Patients Are Rejecting Care - Video - NYTimes.com

[saidschin]

I just felt like doing this post...

Come on guys!!! Guinea, Sierra lione and Liberia together have about 17 Mio citizens. 17 Mio!!!! On that 17 Mio coming 1000 and some Ebola deaths!!! Thats less than 0.1 percent! Wjat is this panik all about??? Most of you dont go to this countries anyway!!! And not travellung whole Westafrika because of it?? And for all who want to go South Afrika, you havr to pass Central Afrika! Doesnt matter if its Congo, Gabon or Central Afrikan Republic ( probably not at the moment) these are the roots countries of Ebola!!! Ever tought about that??? Chances that somebody of us dies in a accident in the crazy african traffic are way higher!!! And still we all take the risk and do this travel right?? Because its an adventure, its experience. If you wanna be safe stay in bed at home!!!
Or like a wise men said once: "ships are save in the harbor, but thats not what they've been built for..."
Cheers and save travel