Sierra Leone's leader Monday appealed to the people
of the Ebola-hit west African country to fight together against the
deadly epidemic, warning that "the very essence" of the nation
was at stake.
President Ernest Bai Koroma urged families to ensure that
victims were reported to health authorities and asked every
Sierra Leonean to take responsibility for raising awareness about
the killer tropical virus.
"This is a collective fight. The very essence of our nation is at
stake," he said in a televised address marking a "stay at home
day" aimed at recalibrating the state's response to the outbreak.
Sierra Leone has seen 574 cases - the most of any nation - and
252 deaths since the virus spread from neighbouring Guinea in
May.
"In this fight every individual counts, for if every individual or
family, community or town fails to act, the risk is increased for
the whole nation."
Koroma declared a state of emergency last week ahead of a
regional summit at which Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone
agreed to a cross-border isolation zone at the epicentre of the
world's worst-ever outbreak.
Streets in the capital Freetown were empty on Monday as people
observed "stay at home day", called to give the authorities
breathing space to reorganise the battle to halt an epidemic that
has seen more than 800 deaths across west Africa since the
start of the year.
"Freetown is as quiet as a graveyard," health worker Claudius
Williams told AFP.
"As we move around in our sensitisation drive, you could hear a
pin drop as people remain inside their houses with doors firmly
shut. We have to knock endless times before they open them."
Disturbing spread
Bars, restaurants, shops and marketplaces were all shut and the
few vehicles plying the capital's roads mostly belonged to the
health ministry and emergency services.
Plain-clothed police questioned the few people walking the
streets about their movements before sending them home.
Government offices said they were discouraging visits by
members of the public, urging people to telephone with queries
instead of showing up in person.
Leaflets explaining the dangers associated with Ebola and how to
combat them have been distributed to shoppers, while
government vehicles have been emblazoned with banners
offering safety advice.
People walking around Freetown in recent days have been
increasingly wearing brightly coloured gloves displaying the
slogan "Don't touch".
Health ministry spokesperson Sidi Yahya Tunis said the progress
of the virus was being slowed in the eastern district of Kailahun,
where the first cases were reported, with no new cases in several
days.
But he added: "The only disturbing trend is that people are
moving from the epicentre to districts that had never been
affected before. This is why for the past one week, about four or
five districts have had cases for the first time."
He said households with confirmed cases would be quarantined
for 21 days.
Meanwhile transport authorities announced that all public buses
were being disinfected.
And 150 village chieftains issued a statement on Monday calling
on tribal meetings and other activities to be put on hold until
Ebola had been beaten.
Social Welfare Minister Moijueh Kaikai said however the crisis
posed no threat to Sierra Leone's participation in the annual hajj
pilgrimage, which will see Muslims from across the globe
heading to the sacred Saudi Arabian city of Mecca in October.
"The government has signed an agreement with the hajj
organisers in Saudi Arabia for 1 000 pilgrims," he told reporters.
of the Ebola-hit west African country to fight together against the
deadly epidemic, warning that "the very essence" of the nation
was at stake.
President Ernest Bai Koroma urged families to ensure that
victims were reported to health authorities and asked every
Sierra Leonean to take responsibility for raising awareness about
the killer tropical virus.
"This is a collective fight. The very essence of our nation is at
stake," he said in a televised address marking a "stay at home
day" aimed at recalibrating the state's response to the outbreak.
Sierra Leone has seen 574 cases - the most of any nation - and
252 deaths since the virus spread from neighbouring Guinea in
May.
"In this fight every individual counts, for if every individual or
family, community or town fails to act, the risk is increased for
the whole nation."
Koroma declared a state of emergency last week ahead of a
regional summit at which Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone
agreed to a cross-border isolation zone at the epicentre of the
world's worst-ever outbreak.
Streets in the capital Freetown were empty on Monday as people
observed "stay at home day", called to give the authorities
breathing space to reorganise the battle to halt an epidemic that
has seen more than 800 deaths across west Africa since the
start of the year.
"Freetown is as quiet as a graveyard," health worker Claudius
Williams told AFP.
"As we move around in our sensitisation drive, you could hear a
pin drop as people remain inside their houses with doors firmly
shut. We have to knock endless times before they open them."
Disturbing spread
Bars, restaurants, shops and marketplaces were all shut and the
few vehicles plying the capital's roads mostly belonged to the
health ministry and emergency services.
Plain-clothed police questioned the few people walking the
streets about their movements before sending them home.
Government offices said they were discouraging visits by
members of the public, urging people to telephone with queries
instead of showing up in person.
Leaflets explaining the dangers associated with Ebola and how to
combat them have been distributed to shoppers, while
government vehicles have been emblazoned with banners
offering safety advice.
People walking around Freetown in recent days have been
increasingly wearing brightly coloured gloves displaying the
slogan "Don't touch".
Health ministry spokesperson Sidi Yahya Tunis said the progress
of the virus was being slowed in the eastern district of Kailahun,
where the first cases were reported, with no new cases in several
days.
But he added: "The only disturbing trend is that people are
moving from the epicentre to districts that had never been
affected before. This is why for the past one week, about four or
five districts have had cases for the first time."
He said households with confirmed cases would be quarantined
for 21 days.
Meanwhile transport authorities announced that all public buses
were being disinfected.
And 150 village chieftains issued a statement on Monday calling
on tribal meetings and other activities to be put on hold until
Ebola had been beaten.
Social Welfare Minister Moijueh Kaikai said however the crisis
posed no threat to Sierra Leone's participation in the annual hajj
pilgrimage, which will see Muslims from across the globe
heading to the sacred Saudi Arabian city of Mecca in October.
"The government has signed an agreement with the hajj
organisers in Saudi Arabia for 1 000 pilgrims," he told reporters.
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