BENIN
LASSA FEVER CASES REACH 59
A new suspected Lassa fever case was reported on 11 February, bringing to 59 the number of suspected cases since 21 January. Of the total, six have tested positive for Lassa fever and 20 have died. Epidemiological surveillance, treatment and community mobilization are ongoing to bring the outbreak under control.
CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC
OVER 3,000 DISPLACED BY LRA ATTACKS
Recent attacks by LRA gunmen on villages in the eastern Haute-Kotto province have displaced more than 3,000 people. The majority of the displaced have sought refuge with host families. People have also fled their villages around Bangassou town, also in the east of the country due to fear of attacks by LRA elements. Humanitarian organizations in the region are providing assistance to the displaced and have called for increased security.
MAURITANIA
AID AGENCIES CALL FOR URGENT REFUGEE ASSISTANCE
On 11 February, UNHCR, WFP and UNICEF urged donors to provide immediate support to maintain the vital assistance to tens of thousands of Malian refugees in Mbera camp in south-eastern Mauritania, warning that the current funding will only cover needs until April. Funding shortfall threatens the provision of food, education, nutrition, protection and other critical assistance to the refugees who fled their homes in 2012.
GHANA
OVER 80 DIE IN MENINGITIS OUTBREAK
More than 350 cases with over 80 deaths have been reported in the ongoing meningitis outbreak in Ghana. Five districts have surpassed the epidemic threshold of 10 cases per 100,000 people. Emergency response coordination has been reactivated at the national, regional and district levels. The Ministry of Health has provided funds and the Ghana Health Service and WHO have conducted assessments and provided technical support in the affected districts.
EBOLA VIRUS DISEASE
LAST CONTACTS LEAVE SIERRA LEONE QUARANTINE
In the week that ended on 14 February, no new cases were recorded. In Sierra Leone, the last four contacts in quarantine in Tonkolili district were discharged on 11 February. If no more cases are detected, the country will again be declared Ebola-free on 17 March. Meanwhile, 12 out of the 48 missing contacts in Kambia have been found and screened. Efforts are ongoing to identify the other 36 missing contacts