PRESS RELEASE
March 27, 2014
The Ministry of Health and Social Welfare wishes to inform the general public that there are no confirmed cases of
Ebola in Liberia. As of yesterday (March 26, 2014), there were no new suspected cases of the viral hemorrhagic
fever. The number of suspected viral hemorrhagic fever remains at six with four deaths since March 24, 2016.
According to Liberia’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Bernice T. Dahn, the MOHSW and partners have strengthened
coordination to scale up field investigations to identify suspected cases and contacts including outreach around
border towns in Liberia as well as follow-up, provision of personal protective equipment, IV fluids, among others.
Speaking on Thursday at the regular MICAT Press briefing, Dr. Dahn said coordination meetings are also taking
place in the counties between the County Health Teams and local officials as preventive measures against any
possible spread of the disease to Liberia. Health workers are also being trained to be posted at various ports of
entry in Lofa, Bong, Nimba, Cape Mount, Margibi, and Montserrado counties to increase awareness on the disease
and ways to prevent it. Health workers are also being trained at various hospitals to handle suspected cases.
County Health Teams are closely working with local authorities to help prevent a possible spread of the disease
from neighboring countries.
Dr. Dahn called on the media to provide the right information to the public, and not to create fear and
apprehension, so that they can take preventive measures against the spread of the disease. The Ministry of Health
is also informing the public that the only channel of information on Ebola-related matters is the office of the Chief
Medical Officer of Liberia, Dr. Bernice Dahn. Information from the various counties on suspected Ebola cases
should be channeled through the County Health Officers. Health workers are requested not to transfer any
suspected Ebola cases but to immediately contact their respective Medical Directors or County Health Officers for
appropriate actions. The public is encouraged to take the following precautionary measures during this suspected
Ebola emergency:

Limit as much as possible, direct contact with body fluids of infected persons or dead persons. Avoid
physical contacts such as handshakes, kissing, etc.

Wash your hands with soap and water as frequently as possible.

Avoid direct contacts with animals such as fruit bats or monkeys/apes and the consumption of their raw
meat.

Avoid contact with body fluids of infected person or dead person.

Treat your water with chlorine before drinking.
Bernice T. Dahn, MD, MPH
Deputy Minister/Chief Medical Officer-RL
Ministry of Health and Social Welfare
PRESS RELEASE
March 26, 2014
The Ministry of Health and Social Welfare would like to inform the public that the number of suspected
viral hemorrhagic fever cases remains at six with four deaths as of March 26, 2014. The two cases and
one death reported from Curran Hospital in Zorzor yesterday did not meet the case definition of viral
hemorrhagic fevers. Hence, this has reduced the cumulative number of suspected cases and deaths..
Meanwhile, the MOHSW continues to monitor and investigate cases of suspected viral hemorrhagic
fever in the country. Suspected cases reported earlier were investigated and verified to ensure that they
meet the standard definition of viral hemorrhagic fevers.
The National Public Health Emergency Task Force continues to meet and has developed a three month
response plan to the tune of US$1.2 million to accelerate the response. About 95% of these funds are
yet to be mobilized. However, a number of immediate interventions are being carried out by the
MOHSW and partners to respond to the suspected outbreak. These include continuous field
investigation to identify suspected cases and contacts including follow up, shipment of blood samples
for laboratory confirmation, public awareness, provision of Personal protective equipment, Ivy fluids, a
lab team sent to Lofa County and the deployment of WASH materials to the county.
Meanwhile, the MOHSW is urging community and religious leaders, the media, local government
officials and students to support the efforts of the MOHSW and partners in preventing the spread of the
disease through the following measures:


Limit as much as possible, direct contact with body fluids of infected persons or dead persons.
Avoid physical contacts such as handshakes, kissing, etc.
Wash your hands with soap and water as frequently as possible.

Avoid direct contacts with animals such as fruit bats or monkeys/apes and the consumption of
their raw meat.

Avoid contact with body fluids of infected person or dead person.

Treat your water with chlorine before drinking.
Bernice T. Dahn, MD, MPH
Deputy Minister/Chief Medical Officer-RL