According to a report by the Margibi CHT dated September 27-28, due to the lack of adequate support and logistics, case investigators in the field were finding it difficult to make follow-ups on suspected cases as well as to effectively trace contacts in various communities in the county.

“Vehicles for case finding as well as ambulances are not available for prompt referral, something that is causing a serious setback in the fight against the Ebola virus in the county,” the report said.

The report also said another situation that is posing a serious challenge to the CHT in the Ebola fight in Margibi County is the lack of holding centers and treatment units.

“There is an urgent need to build treatment units that will curtail the referral of patients to Monrovia who are often turned away due to the lack of space at these centers and when they are brought back to the county, they again get in contact with community members, causing the spread of the virus,” the report added.

It said as a result, there continues to be “a very long trail of contacts and new cases continue to develop on a daily basis” in Margibi County.

The report urged the Ministry of Health authorities as well as international partners to “act quickly to avert the situation.”
LINA RDB/TSS/PTK