SRSG statement following a fourth Ebola case within UNMIL
Monrovia, 24 December 2014
Special Representative of the Secretary-General Karin Landgren made the following statement today:
On Tuesday, 23 December, an UNMIL staff member tested positive for the Ebola Virus Disease and was immediately transferred to an Ebola Treatment Unit. Our thoughts are very much with the staff member and their family.
UNMIL is taking all necessary measures to mitigate any possible further transmission – both within the mission and beyond. In line with World Health Organization protocols, the UNMIL Medical team is conducting robust contact tracing to ensure that all people who came into contact with the staff member while symptomatic are assessed and quarantined. All UNMIL staff considered at-risk are being isolated. The vehicles used to transport the patient and locations they visited while symptomatic are being decontaminated.
This is the fourth case of Ebola in the mission and UNMIL personnel continue to mourn the deaths of two colleagues who died from the disease only three months ago. Another member of UNMIL’s personnel who contracted the disease has recovered and was discharged from hospital earlier this week.
The confirmation of an additional Ebola case in UNMIL at the start of the holiday period is a stark reminder that we must all remain vigilant until there are no cases in Liberia or West Africa.
Liberians can be proud of the progress they have made against Ebola since October. I now urge all Liberians to take extra care to guard against Ebola as they gather with friends and family over the holidays.
UNMIL’s commitment to Liberia remains steadfast. The mission will continue to do all that it can within its range of capabilities to support efforts to roll back the tragedy that is Ebola.