By Mohamed T. Massaquoi.
The authorities in the southern district of Pujehun have described the town of Zimmi and the outlying village of Dumagbe as "a serious security threat in the fight against Ebola" and called for the intervention of the military and the police to stabilise the situation.
The Pujehun District Medical Officer, Dr. David Bome said Dumagbe village with a population of 590 people and three houses in Zimmi town with 32 residents have been quarantined.
Dr. Bome told Politico that the lockdown would last for 21 days and was aimed at "weeding out all Ebola-infected people...so that we can eradicate this dreadful disease from the district".
He said a security barrier had been set up to cover all border areas in Barri, Pejeh, Makpele and Sorogbeima chiefdoms and that the District Health Management Team would support security officers to undertake extra patrols along the Manor River border.
He said "enough protective" gear had provided to health workers in all communities in the worst-affected communities.
Dr Bome also said that two people, Ibrahim Konneh and Abu Balley were arrested "for obstructing the work of the security team deployed to Zimmi and Dumagbe and they will be dealt with according to law."
The disease surveillance officer in Pujehun, Musa A. Sesay told Politico that 29 newly reported cases of Ebola were reported to his office comprising 13 probable deaths and 16 confirmed cases. Of the 16, he said, eight had died, three had survived and five were receiving treatment. He said Zimmi now had one holding centre and one ambulance for emergency response.
The deputy chairman of Pujehun district council, Kalilu Fofanah told Politico that "enough food has been provided for residents in the communities under lockdown for the 21-day period and only health workers would be allowed to enter those communities."
(C) Politico 23/09/14
