On 14 February, Guinean authorities declared a new Ebola outbreak in the rural community of Gouéké, part of N’Zérékoré prefecture in the southern Guinée Forestière Region. This is the first known resurgence of Ebola in West Africa since the deadly 2013-2016 epidemic resulted in over 11,300 deaths across the region.
At the time of writing, no new cases have been confirmed since 4 March, but the situation continues to be monitored closely.
The Ebola disease is a severe and often fatal illness in humans. Ebola is caused by a zoonotic virus that passes from animals to humans, spreading then further through human-to-human transmission. Authorities in the country are on high alert to contain infection and prevent the epidemic from spreading, including to neighbouring countries.
Responding immediately, the EU mobilised €3.2 million to support health care in the Republic of Guinea. This adds to the existing EU assistance through the Union Civil Protection Mechanism, the EU’s regional project to track and control zoonotic epidemics, and the longer-term EU support to the Guinean health system.
The EU’s latest funding targets the epicentre of the outbreak. EU humanitarian funding provides patient care, including treatment, prevention, monitoring and follow-up of contact cases, as well as communication, awareness raising and coordination support.
The Guinea Red Cross is one of the humanitarian organisations receiving EU support in its Ebola response actions, through the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC). Meet the volunteer teams on the ground and how their contribution helps save lives.
Story by EU Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations, 2021
Photos © Naomi Nolte/IFRC, 2021
