Newsletter ISSUE # 6 for Media Internews

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Media Newsletter Information Saves Lives Issue #6 - March 27-3 April

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Welcome to the Internews Newsletter for media in Liberia. This newsletter is created with the intent to support the work of local media in reporting about Ebola and Ebola-related issues in Liberia. Internews welcomes feedback, comments and suggestions from all media receiving this newsletter and invites them to forward, share and re-post this newsletter as widely as possible.

New insights on healed Ebola patients in Liberia

Monrovia, Liberia – Healed Ebola patients can live a The death of the Liberian woman reshaped the normal and even extraordinary life, says Professor message on the sexual lives of healed Ebola patients, John Fankhauser, the Medical Director at ELWA which was initially made public by the Liberian hospital in Monrovia, which is concerned with healed government. The Ministry of Health and Social Ebola patients. “Liberia has nearly 1500 treated Ebola Welfare now recommends indefinite safe sex and patients,” says Fankhauser, “all of them going about abstinence within a three-month period. with their usual daily activities and even doing better than they were in the past.” Prof. Fankhauser suggests that patients tested negative in Ebola Treatment Units should abstain According to Prof. Fankhauser, who regularly receives from sex for up to 90 days. It is feared that the virus and interacts with the healed patients, all of them are which lives in the semen and vaginal secretions of immune to the virus but the duration of the immunity healed Ebola patients could also infect their sexual is yet to be established. “The immunity varies from partners. “Some healed patients even experience person to person,” he added. sexual malfunction,” he revealed.

“Chronic pain, appetite loss, headaches, eye problems Besides the physical effects, healed Ebola patients and post-traumatic stress are among the most equally suffer stigma within their communities. One frequent problems reported by some healed organization that has suggested concrete ways of patients.” eliminating stigma is the NGO Mhttp://wwwédecins .msf.fr/sans http://wwwfrontièr.msf.fr/es, also known in English as Doctors Without In March 2015, a Liberian woman died of Ebola – Borders. They recommend a replacement of the name which has claimed more nearly 3,900 lives so far, “Ebola Survivors,” that has further ostracised the according to government figures. Several reliable healed patients from their own communities. Other news sources have quoted the government as saying organisations suggest “survivors” could be replaced the woman contracted the virus from her husband with “healed patients.” who was healed of Ebola.

Internews “Information Saves Lives” is a six-month project implemented under the Health Communication Capacity Collaborative (Hc3) project and funded by USAID. The project aims at building the capacity of Liberian journalists to report accurately on the Ebola disease and on the impact of the crisis on the local population. For more information contact: Tapang Ivo Tanku, Health Communication Liaison Officer – 0770461348

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Media Newsletter Information Saves Lives Issue #6 - March 27-3 April

http://on.fb.me/1BheC2I/internewsliberia http://bit.ly/1AjUqrZ Swelling concerns for Ebola Treatment Units as new cases decline

As new Ebola cases decline in Liberia, citizens’ concern According to International Organization for Migration about the existence of Ebola Treatment Units (ETUs) (IOM) IOM ETUs in Bomi and Grand Bassa counties will within their Counties has been swelling. The local media progressively scale down their operations, in stationed in all 15 counties have been reporting rumors coordination with County Health Teams, and could be and unanswered questions from communities that fuel shut down completely by the end of May 2015. IOM fear and mistrust. adds that their ETU in Sinje would still exist for some additional months after May. In Grand Bassa for example, people are asking why ETUs do exist, even though there have been no new Ebola The Liberian Ministry of Health and Social Welfare cases for several months now. Speaking along similar (MoHSW) also coordinates the closure of ETUs. lines are residents from Nimba who also suggest all ETUs should be shut down because they spark more panic and When Liberia would be declared Ebola-free, plans for mistrust for health workers. ETUs would hinge on the priorities of County Health Teams (CHTs) in respective counties. Staff seconded by Several organizations fighting Ebola including the World MoHSW will resume to their initial duty posts, while Health Organization (WHO) have been quick to respond others could be involved in other non ETU activities to citizens’ concern. WHO recently released a rapid depending on the available funds. http://bit.ly/1a4T0e6guidance on the decommissioning of Ebola care facilities and a http://bit.ly/1CUfeK9checklist for terminal cleaning and All ETU assets will be disinfected as per guidelines from decontamination of Ebola care facilities that clearly WHO and MoHSW and there will be no risk of address safety concerns from citizens if ETUs would be contamination after the decommissioning exercise is dismantled. finalized.

Reopened borders open new Ebola concerns from Liberians

The Liberian government reopened its borders in Community-based surveillance has been bolstered by F ebruary with key trading partners – Guinea and Sierra development partners fighting the disease in all the Leone - after seeing marked recovery from the Ebola counties that have borders with those two countries. crisis. Since then, concerns about potential cross-border Ebola transmission have been rife, especially along Supplies are being provided to ports of entry as well. border counties. Many entry routes have also been upgraded from an infrastructural point of view to be able to conduct safe Cit izens have been quick to point out the cause of screening. Liberia’s Ebola crisis, blaming it on the government’s failure to close its borders with Guinea when the crisis At the moment, safe screening and the ability to safely was first reported there. Now that Liberia is on the way isolate and refer to suspected Ebola cases for secondary t o being declared Ebola-free – with no new confirmed screening have also been put in place. cases reported since the end of March –, border safety, securit y and survhttp://bit.ly/1EZWZkXeillance are some of the issues being Development partners recommend communities to be raised in Montserrado and Bomi counties. aware of Ebola symptoms and report to County Health Team members in case they have concerns. Community- Only the Ivorian side of Liberia borders remains closed based surveillance is supported by various local and and training of border officials with Guinea and Sierra international NGOs operating at the bordLiberia Leone were intensified following the reopening of depends on imports from its neighbours for around 90 borders. percent of its goods.

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Media Newsletter Information Saves Lives Issue #6 - March 27-3 April

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Media contacts

Environmental Inspection National Institute for Allergy and Infectious Diseases Isaiah K. Paye, Head of Montserrado County (NIAID) H. Clifford Lane, MD, Clinical Director, National Phone: 0886512388 Institutes for Health (NIH) Inquiries [email protected] Medecines Sans Frontieres (MSF) Judit Rius, Liasion Officer The Liberia-US Joint Research Partnership Phone: 0775065878 Stephen B. Kennedy, MD, MPH, FLCP [email protected] Phone: Phone: 0886645830 [email protected] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Dr Laura Petcha, Communications Officer UNICEF Liberia Phone: 0775090926 Rukshan Ratnam, Communications Officer [email protected] Phone: 0770267110 [email protected] Global Communities Hilary Dorleh, Emergency Response Manager Ministry of Information and Culture (MICAT) Phone: 0886534683 Abel Plackie, Director of Public Affairs Email: [email protected] Phone: 0886844531/0775889393 [email protected] World Health Organization (WHO) Olivia Pratt Dennis, Social Mobilization Officer UNICEF Liberia Phone: 0770114949 / 0886984377 Jacob Kersey, Education Program Specialist [email protected] Phone: 0770267556/0880897960 [email protected] Incident Management System / Ebola operation Center Francis Kateh, Deputy Incident Manager UNICEF Liberia Phone: 0776434603 Helene Sandbu Ryeng , Communications Specialist [email protected] Phone: 0770267943 [email protected] United Nations Mission for Ebola Emergency Response Dr. Joa Okech, FCM Margibi & Montserrado County The Liberia-US Joint Research Partnership Phone: 0775263882 Stephen B. Kennedy, MD, MPH, FLCP [email protected] Phone: 0886645830 [email protected] National Teachers Association in Liberia Samuel Johnson, Secretary General International Organization for Migration (IOM) Phone: 0886472496 Andrew Lind, Communications Officer [email protected] Phone: 0880183882 [email protected] Teachers Welfare Council of Liberia Aaron Kpayea, Secretary General Adolphus Mawolo Phone: 0888070693 Field Communication Officer - Liberia [email protected] Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders (MSF) +231 (0) 775 076 428 or +231 (0) 886 179 565 [email protected]

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REOPENING OF SCHOOLS

There are speculations that schools are ill- The residents ask why students and pupils are equipped with Ebola prevention kits. being encouraged to go to school even though the country is not Ebola-free. Lofa Nimba

Bomi residents say schools have reopened, classes are very effective and Ebola prevention Citizens say that Ebola prevention measures are not measures are strictly respected. respected in schools within Grand Gedeh County. They add that the basic Ebola kits are absent. Bomi Grand Gedeh

People in Montserrado say school authorities People say that schools in River Gee County that do not encourage students and pupils to were initially shut down for their lack of compliance respect Ebola prevention measures. on Ebola prevention measures have now been reopened. They add that the closure came against a Montserrado backdrop of corrupt meetings held between school authorities and the health and education Ministries.

River Gee Some people wish that the Liberian side of the border with Ivory Coast would be closed. The residents ask why students and pupils are being encouraged to go to school even though Grand Kru the country is not Ebola-free.

Maryland http://bit.ly1ABN0AiInternews “Information Saves Lives” is a six-month project implemented under the Health Communication Capacity Collaborative (Hc3) project and funded by USAID. The project aims at building the capacity of Liberian journalists to report accurately on the Ebola disease and on the impact of the crisis on the local population. For more information contact: Tapang Ivo Tanku, Health Communication Liaison Officer – 0770461348 http://www.usaid.gov/ https://www.internews.org/ http://www.healthcommcapacity.org/ Media Newsletter Information Saves Lives Issue #6 - March 27-3 April

Citizens’ Feedback http://on.fb.me/1BheC2I/internewsliberia BORDERS

People in Bong County are suggesting that their Nimba residents report that the Liberian side of borders with Ebola-stricken countries (Guinea its border with Ivory Coast has been opened but and Sierra Leone) should be closed because the the Ivorian government has denied doing the World Health Organization (WHO) has not same. declared them Ebola-free. Also, people are reporting that since the curfew Bong was lifted, crime waves have dropped. Nimba

Residents of Grand Cape Mount County are advising that a border closure with Guinea and Citizens are reporting that the Grand Gedeh side of the Sierra Leone would keep all three countries safe. border is still closed, suggesting that it should be reopened for cross-border trade. Bomi Grand Gedeh

People are asking why the borders with Guinea and Sierra Leone have been opened despite their Some people suggest a border closure with Guinea insignificant progress in their fight against Ebola. and Sierra Leone for fear of an Ebola spillover into Liberia. Montserrado River Gee

FOOD DISTRIBUTION

Sinoe residents question the Liberian People are reporting that food distributed by the World government’s decision to reopen its borders with Food Program (WFP) in the County has been widely Guinea and Sierra Leone despite failed attempts accepted by Ebola survivors and orphans who initially to effectively fight back Ebola in those countries. feared it contained Ebola. Sineo River Cess http://bit.ly1ABN0AiInternews “Information Saves Lives” is a six-month project implemented under the Health Communication Capacity Collaborative (Hc3) project and funded by USAID. The project aims at building the capacity of Liberian journalists to report accurately on the Ebola disease and on the impact of the crisis on the local population. For more information contact: Tapang Ivo Tanku, Health Communication Liaison Officer – 0770461348 http://www.usaid.gov/ https://www.internews.org/ http://www.healthcommcapacity.org/ Media Newsletter Information Saves Lives Issue #6 - March 27-3 April

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EBOLA VACCINE & TREATMENT UNITS

People in River Cess County are enquiring when they could start visiting sites where the bodies of the Ebola victims were buried.

River Cess Citizens are asking why Ebola Treatment Units (ETUs) still exist although the country has effectively rolled back the disease. In Grand Kru County, citizens are suggesting that ETUs should be shut down because Grand Bassa they have gone for several months without any reported case of an Ebola patient. Grand Kru

People are suggesting that Ebola survivors should be quarantine for three months before being sent back In River Gee County, citizens suggest that the Liberian into the communities. This will stop them from government and its development partners should infecting their wives and partners, they add. quarantine Ebola survivors for three months before Grand Cape Mount they can be released into the communities.

River Gee

In Margibi, people are reporting that Ebola prevention measures have been widely Residents are asking if the dismantled Ebola abandoned by most citizens who believe Ebola Treatment Units (ETUs) in Maryland County will no longer exists in Liberia. now serve as Isolation Centers for other deadly infectious diseases. Margibi Maryland http://bit.ly1ABN0AiInternews “Information Saves Lives” is a six-month project implemented under the Health Communication Capacity Collaborative (Hc3) project and funded by USAID. The project aims at building the capacity of Liberian journalists to report accurately on the Ebola disease and on the impact of the crisis on the local population. For more information contact: Tapang Ivo Tanku, Health Communication Liaison Officer – 0770461348 http://www.usaid.gov/ https://www.internews.org/ http://www.healthcommcapacity.org/

Media Newsletter Information Saves Lives Issue #6 - March 27-3 April

http://on.fb.me/1BheC2I/internewsliberia Rumors Reporting: Update since 27 March - 3 April 2015

Routine & Ebola Vaccines Rumors from local people Well-sourced and accurate responses The Ebola trial vaccine is not provided to children. Instead, it is strongly Rivercess suggested for all children receive only the routine vaccines, which can be found in all clinics and hospitals. These are the same vaccines the health It is being rumored that the Ebola vaccine is Ministry has been giving to Liberian children for many years. harmful and primarily targets school http://1.usa.gov/1F8WwjD children. These vaccines are free and safe.

Grand Gedeh County The senior Liberian scientist involved in the vaccine trials, Stephen Kennedy says there is no danger because the piece of the Zaire strain that Citizens rumor that the Ebola vaccine is has been put into the vaccine is very little and also a weak strain that it intended to infect many more people. cannot and will not cause Ebola. So it is impossible that any one of the volunteers will contract Ebola from the vaccine. The scientists are well Bong County aware of how important the support of local people will be if this trial is to work. People are saying that the Ebola vaccine has been disguised as a routine immunization. No child will receive the Ebola vaccine. Right now the Ebola vaccine it is only given in Monrovia at JFK Hospital to adults from 18. It is not given to Nimba County pregnant women or children and it has been approved for human trial because it is safe. People rumor the Ebola vaccine will infect many more Liberians and are discouraging For FAQ about the vaccine see this document hhttp://bit.ly/1Dk98Ecere. volunteers from receiving it. *For more information interviews, Internews strongly recommends Grand Cape Mount County journalists/communicators to contact:

Citizens in Grand Cape Mounty County UNICEF Liberia rumor that the Ebola vaccine is a Rukshan Ratnam, Communications Officer government ploy to infect Liberians with the Phone: 0770267110 disease and continue to sponge on Ebola [email protected] funds. UNICEF Liberia Helene Sandbu Ryeng, Communications Specialist Phone: 0770267943 [email protected]

The Liberia-US Joint Research Partnership Stephen B. Kennedy, MD, MPH, FLCP Phone: 0886645830 [email protected]

National Institute for Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) H. Clifford Lane, MD, Clinical Director, National Institutes for Health (NIH) Inquiries [email protected]

Media Newsletter Information Saves Lives Issue #6 - March 27-3 April

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Border Bomi County It was the government’s decision to reopen its borders with all three neighboring couhttp://bit.ly/1LntriT58Aies – Guinea, Ivory Coast and Sierra Leone. The people rumor that the Liberian However the Ivorian border remains closed to Liberia only. The government is seeking more money from borders were opened for several reasons including economic concerns its donors by keeping its borders with raised by citizens who relied on cross-border trade to feed their Ebola-stricken countries open for families. It should be noted that community-based surveillance has possible cross-border transmission. been bolstered by various local and international NGOs operating at the borders. Montserrado County

People rumor that President Ellen It is recommended that communities should be aware about Ebola Johnson signed a partnership agreement symptoms and report to County Health Team members in case they with development partners to spread have concerns. Several actions including safe-screening including the Ebola in Liberia and leave its borders possibility of safely isolating and referring secondary screening have open with Ebola-affected nations. been put in place at crossing points.

*For more information interviews, Internews strongly recommends journalists/communicators to contact:

International Organization for Migration (IOM) Andrew Lind, Communications Officer Phone: 0880183882 [email protected]

Global Communities Hilary Dorleh, Emergency Response Manager Phone: 0886534683 [email protected] Ebola funds Montserrado County People should note that the woman who was Liberia's sole remaining known Ebola patient died at a treatment centre in the Monrovia in People in Montserrado County claim that late March. The case was Liberia's first in weeks and it set back efforts the latest Ebola case was a false alarm to halt a virus that has killed more than nearly 3,900 people. Liberian sounded by the Liberian government and authorities say the woman, who died in Monrovia, may have sought to persuade its donors for more contracted Ebola through sex with a survivor. This last detail is NOT Ebola funds. confirmed yet.

Margibi County & Grand Cape Mount Media should continue encouraging their communities to follow the County Ebola preventative measures and to trust that organizations responding to the Ebola outbreak have been able to trace the people In Margibi, people are referring to the with whom the woman came in contact. Media should remind their Liberian president’s frequent visits out of communities that the fight against Ebola is a collaborative strategy by the country as possible attempts to usher the government, development partners, donors and the local in western strategies that could help population. spread of Ebola in Liberia.

Media Newsletter Information Saves Lives Issue #6 - March 27-3 April

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Grand Kru County *For more information Internews recommends journalists/communicators to contact: In Grand Kru County, people are saying that the Ebola vaccine is Incident Management System / Ebola operation Center intended to infect many more citizens Francis Kateh, Deputy Incident Manager because the Liberian government Phone: 0776434603 seeks to maintain the flow of Ebola [email protected] funds. United Nations Mission for Ebola Emergency Response Dr. Joa Okech, FCM Margibihttp://bit.ly/1wEobaB & Montserrado County Phone:0775263882 [email protected]

Schools Montserrado County Media should continue encouraging parents to send their children to school while practicing surveillance because all schools in Montserrado It is being rumored that schools in are well-equipped and practice Ebola prevention measures. Montserrado will be closed because a new case of Ebola was discovered. All personnel in schools is monitoring the situation to make sure that all the children are safe despite concerns about the woman who was Lofa County discovered recently with Ebola in Montserrado. Media should also try to encourage parents not to resort to witch craft practices in the fight Lofa citizens rumor that parents are against Ebola. pulling out their children from schools and initiating them into witchcraft Media outlets that are interested in supporting the local social practices which they believe could mobilization efforts in this matter can contact Internews Journalism protect them from Ebola. Trainer Arwen Kidd at [email protected] to have contact information of local social mobilizations teams. Bomi County *For more information Internews recommends journalists/communicators Bomi citizens speculate that the to contact: government’s decision to reopen schools is a ploy to spread Ebola United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Liberia nation-wide. Jacob Kersey, Education Program Specialist Phone: 0770267556/0880897960 Grand Bassa [email protected]

It is being rumored that school National Teachers Association in Liberia benches have been infected with Samuel Johnson, Secretary General Ebola. Phone: 0886472496 [email protected] Grand Kru

People say teachers are hiring secret agents to infect school children with Ebola.

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Ebola Treatment Unites (ETUs) Montserrado There is a clearly established procedure for Ebola burials. These procedures are transparent to the public and should and cannot be done in secrecy (without It is being rumored that all informing) from family relatives. members of a family in Montserrado recently The Liberian government has always allowed families to bury Ebola victims in a died of Ebola and their special plot of land instead of requiring the cremated of the dead, as part of efforts to bodies were secretly prevent the spread of the virus. taken to an ETU by burial teams. The government, through the Traditional Council of Liberia, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and a United States based non-governmental organization, Global River Cess Communities, acquired a 25-acre parcel of land, which was being uses as a national cemetery. People claim that Ebola Treatment Units (ETUs) *For more information Internews recommends journalists/communicators to contact: charged $500 USD to bury Global Communities a dead Ebola patient. Hilary Dorleh, Emergency Response Manager Phone: 0886534683 Email: [email protected]

World Health Organization (WHO) Olivia Pratt Dennis, Social Mobilization Officer Phone: 0770114949 / 0886984377 [email protected]

Effects of prevention measures Rivercess There is no established link between hand-washing with chlorine and cancer. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), people are People believe that advised not to drink chlorine water, and also not to put chlorine water in mouth or washing hands with water eyes. that contains chlorine could cause cancer. Journalists can find more information http://1.usa.gov/1Jof6ohhere. http://bit.ly/1g3T7Cr

*For more information Internews recommends journalists/communicahttp://bit.ly/1g3T7Crtors to contact: http://n.pr/1v4crun Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Dr Laura Petcha, Communications Officer Phone: 0775090926 [email protected]

World Health Organization (WHO) Olivia Pratt Dennis, Social Mobilization Officer Phone: 0770114949 / 0886984377 [email protected]

Media Newsletter Information Saves Lives Issue #6 - March 27-3 April

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Lofa Fears and mistrust could be dismissed as journalists could engage in a strong media action that will discredit complacency and promote surveillance. It is important to remind local It is being rumored communities that Ebola safety measures must be strictly followed. Ebola is still very real that doctors who in the country and Media are encouraged to invite local doctors or nurses or social successfully treated mobilizations teams to come to talk on air about the current situation. Ebola patients are now switching to *For more information / Internews strongly recommends journalists/communicators to infect many more contact: Liberians. Environmental Inspection Montserrado County Isaiah K. Paye, Head of Montserrado County Phone: 0886512388

People rumor that Public Health Initiative Liberia Ebola no longer exists Kuoh Quenuah in any part of Liberia. Phone: 0886411638 [email protected]

Médecins sans frontières (MSF) Judit Rius, Liasion Officer Phone: 0775065878 [email protected]

http://bit.ly/1g3T7Cr http://bit.ly/1g3T7Cr http://n.pr/1v4crun

Media Newsletter Information Saves Lives Issue #6 - March 27-3 April

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Resources for the media

International Organization for Migration (IOM) Andrew Lind, Communications Officer Phone: 0880183882 [email protected]

Checklist for terminal cleaning and decontamination of Ebola Care Facilities http://bit.ly/1CUfeK9

Rapid Guidance on the Decommissioning of Ebola Care Facilities http://bit.ly/1a4T0e6

West Africa – Ebola Outbreak, Fact Sheet #28, Fiscal Year (Fy) 2015 http://bit.ly/1ycHKrP

Internews Humanitarian Newsletter Issue 3 http://bit.ly/1NTfhc8

UCLA School of Medicine John Fankhauser, MD. Assistant Clinical Professor Deputy Medical Director, ELWA Hospital Phone:0770262626 [email protected]

Adolphus Mawolo Field Communication Officer - Liberia Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors Without Borders (MSF) +231 (0) 775 076 428 or +231 (0) 886 179 565 [email protected]

Liberia's last Ebola patient dies from virus http://bit.ly/1FVv3DQ

Ebola-hit Liberia sets out on road to recovery http://bit.ly/1DJ6rOs