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Media Newsletter Information Saves Lives Issue #11 - May 8-15

http://on.fb.me/1NM9DKt/internewsliberia Welcome to the Internews Newsletter for media in . 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.

Surveillance, abstinence and precaution in post-Ebola Liberia http://bit.ly/1PBBRqq Days after Liberia was declared Ebola-free by the · While transmission of Ebola virus persists in World Health Organization (WHO),http://bit.ly/1GzyXO5 skepticisms is West Africa, re-introduction of the virus widespread as shttp://bit.ly/1JSYGV7ome citizens even describe the through an incubating or sick patient is decision as “hasty,” pointing to Guinea and Sierra possible, given the existence of porous Leone, which are both still struggling to end the borders and frequent movements of people spread the disease within their borders. between countries. For this reason, careful control at the borders and strict surveillance In Monsterrado , people are rumoring that should be continued until the entire West the Liberian government intends to bring back the Africa sub-region is free of Ebola. These disease, in a bid to continue reaping benefits from activities require strong cross border Ebola funds. The same rumor has been echoed in collaboration and effective implementation of Marylandhttp://bit.ly/1ItmMIJ County as well. preparedness plans. But according to the WHO, there are criteria that must be considered for the Ebola outbreak to be · There is evidence that viable Ebola virus can declared over. One of them is the 42-day http://bit.ly/1KxKiSQ persist in semen for at least 82 days after benchmark that must be reached. This benchmark symptom onset and possibly longer than 6 can only be considered after the last confirmed months. However, the frequency of sexual case has tested negative twice for the virus on transmission and thehttp://www period of .msf.fr/potential blood samples, a http://bit.ly/1HmYstatementqx2 from their website infectivity of the virus in seminal fluids remain reads. The 42 days are counted from the day the unknown. Consequently, with thohttp://bit.ly/1EswwMMusands of body of the last Ebola patient was buried. survivors in West Africa, there is the possibility of Ebola re-emergence via sexual transmission WHO is recommending the maintenance of a beyond 42 days. surveillance system in Liberia with for a further 90 days. They also suggest ongoing Ebola virus Also, the re-introduction of Ebola virus from an surveillance and notification. animal to the human population could also occur. Of six countries that experienced an Ebola Given the continued risk of new importations of EVD outbreak previously, two reported a second into any country until the entire West African sub- outbreak within one year (Congo and the region has stopped transmission, the consequences of Democratic Republic of Congo), one within two a new emergence from an animal reservoir, and the years (Gabon) and one within three years (Sudan), possibility of sexual transmission or a missed according to WHO. In total, four out of six countries transmission chain, WHO suggests that heightened had a second Ebola outbreak within three years. surveillance should be sustained for 90 days beyond Two countries (Uganda and Cote d'Ivoire) had no the initial 42-day period. The considerations in this further outbreaks in the following five years. regard are as follows:

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 #11 - May 8-15

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There is also a concern that a pregnant woman who World Health Organisation (WHO) recovered from Ebola could release infected Eileen Farnan, Case Management Officer amniotic fluid when delivering the baby – this case, Phone: 0888135625 while possible, is supposed to be extremely rare. For [email protected] pregnant women who survive EVD and continue their pregnancies, strict clinical follow-up World Health Organisation (WHO) mechanisms should be put in place. High-level Carmen L. Pessoa-Silva, Infectious Prevention & Control infection prevention and control precautions Officer including use of full personal protective equipment Phone: 0886092544 should be implemented to manage deliveries. [email protected] Newborn babies should undergo Ebola virus Save the Children Liberia detection and serology tests and precautions should Gradiah Walker, Advocacy and Policy Manager be used to care for the baby until the tests prove to Phone: 0886 556 290 be negative. [email protected]

For what it concerns Liberia, all preventive measures Sources: applied so far and regulated by the Gohttp://bit.ly/1JsmWPOvernment are still in place, including the special laws passed How is the end of an Ebola outbreak decided and (improved response time and contact tracking and declared? coordination with regional and international partners). www.who.int/csr/disease/ebola/declaration-ebola- end/en/ Avoiding stigma in post-Ebola times Health advisory (11 may 2015) WHO says all healed Ebola patients are at risk of https://www.moh.gov.sg/content/moh_web/home/pr stigma. They add that every effort must be made to essRoom/Current_Issues/2014/ebola-virus-disease- minimize stigma through appropriate social .html mobilization, community engagement and education. “These people have completely Internews Humanitarian Newsletter Issue 9 recovered and represent no further risk for the https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B1D2eBmYrnOxRD community in general.” R0OC0zb0t0VW8&authuser=0

“Adequate precautions including abstinence or use of condoms must be taken by healed persons until the risk of sexual transmission has disappeared.”

Contacts

Ministry of Health and Social Welfare http://www.emansion.gov.lr/ Targbeh Wreeh, Supervisor Phone: 886826547 [email protected]

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 http://www.usaid.gov/ https://www.internews.org/ http://www.healthcommcapacity.org/

Media Newsletter Information Saves Lives Issue #11 - May 8-15

http://on.fb.me/1NM9DKt/internewsliberia PREPAREDNESS OF LIBERIA TO RAPIDLY DETECT AND RESPOND TO AN EBOLA OUTBREAK The World Health Organization (WHOhttp://bit.ly/1Jso6us) says the introduction Drawing examples from other countries since October 2014, of an EVD case into unaffected countries remains a risk for when Ebola was at its peak, PSTs provided technical support as long as cases are reported in any country. High levels of in 14 countries: Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central preparation (coordination and surveillance) can contain African Republic, Côte d'Ivoire, Ethiopia, Gambia, Ghana, introductions of the disease with a rapid and adequate Guinea Bissau, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Senegal, South response. Sudan, and Togo. Technical working group meetings, field visits and high-level exercises helped to identify key areas The preparation aims at ensuring that Liberia as a country is for improvement. Each country has a tailored plan to ready to effectively and safely detect, investigate and report strengthen operational readiness. potential EVD cases, and to mount an effective response. WHO provides this support through country visits by WHO continues to work with many partners in response to preparedness-strengthening teams (PSTs), direct technical the EVD outbreak, including the African Union, the assistance to countries (deployment of staffs), and the Economic Community of West African States, the Mano provision of technical guidance that include financial and Rivhttp://bit.ly/1KBbzmCer Union, national governments, non-governmental logistics support to the implementation of preparedness organizations and UN agencies. Agencies responsible for plans. coordinating four key lines of action in the response are given below.

Lines of action Lead agency

Case management WHO

World Health Organisation (WHO)

Eileen Farnan, Case Management Officer Phone: 0888135625 http://bit.ly/1KBbzmC [email protected]

Case finding, laboratory services WHO and contact tracing World Health Organisation (WHO) Carmen L. Pessoa-Silva, Infectious Prevention & Control Officer Phone: 0886092544 [email protected]

Safe and dignified burials International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC)

International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) Michael Gloeckle, Safe & Dignified Burrial Coordinator Phone: 0770413480 [email protected]

Community engagement and social UNICEF mobilization UNICEF Rania Elessawi, C4D Specialist

[email protected]

Source: http://apps.who.int/ebola/en/current-situation/ebola-situation-report-13-may-2015

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 http://www.usaid.gov/ https://www.internews.org/ http://www.healthcommcapacity.org/

Media Newsletter Information Saves Lives Issue #11 - May 8-15

http://on.fb.me/1NM9DKt/internewsliberia Increased border controls Several organizations including the International Leone and Guinea) are seeking best possible ways Organization for Migration and Global Communities are of pushing their strategy beyond the limits. The partnering with the Liberian government to implement International Organization for Migration (IOM) in strict border controls (hand washing and temperature particular, has been spearheading talks on checks) and community surveillance along the borders integrating Sierra Leone and Guinea in with Guinea and Sierra Leone. collaborating on a strict surveillance and Ebola On March 24, Global Communities staff attended an prevention strategy across their shared borders with Liberia. Focus is being put on borders in historichttp://bit.ly/1HpFhxx bilateral meeting on cross-border surveillance in http://bit.ly/1DM3tac Lola, Guinea. This was the first of six such gatherings Gbarpolu, Bong, Nimba, Lofa and Grand Gedeh between Nimba and Lola and the latest in a series counties. of talks held between the two countries to strategize on 2. Hazard pay: Liberia’s Ministry of Finance says how to best monitor borders and ensure Ebola does not there have been not negative reactions cross unnoticed. Two similar meetings have been held in encountered since payments began to health Lofa and one in Bong. The meeting in Lola represents a workers, Ebola orphans, healed Ebola patients, continuation of collaboration between both countries on and/or affected families and persons, in cross-border surveillance and demonstrates that all three September 2014. http://bit.ly/1xrOz8iThe ministry reveals that $23 bordering counties of Liberia are now actively engaged million USD was provided by the World Bank and with the Guinean government. the African Development Bank. The payments Contacts continue till May 31, 2015. There will be a Press Release soon, highlighting details about the Projects Concern International (PCI) Liberia hazard pay. It should be noted that the Liberia Jolene M. Mullins, Country Representative, Health & Medical and Dental Council has been very helpful Nutrition Manager in identifying recipients of these funds. Phone: 0880711148 [email protected] 3. Funds for healed Ebola patients: Responders are discussing critical issues (stigma and Organization for Migration (IOM) discrimination) reported by healed Ebola patients Andrew Lind, Communications Officer and Ebola orphans. They are also reporting cases Phone: 0880183882 where children (Ebola orphans and those of [email protected] healed Ebola patients) have been stigmatized in schools and other public gatherings. They Sources: acknowledge that fighting stigma and discrimination translates to seeking best possible Ebola Situation Report - 13 May 2015 ways of increasing the financial incentives which http://apps.who.int/ebola/en/current-situation/ebola- they receive every month. situation-report-13-may-2015 4. Community benefits: Responders have acknowledged the strong contributions and Statement on the declaration of a state of emergency by collaboration made by all Liberian communities President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, August 6, 2014 during the Ebola outbreak. The Ministry of Youths http://www.emansion.gov.lr/doc/sdseg.pdf and Sports says funds were provided by donors to compensate the efforts of the communities Guinea and Liberia Publically Discuss the Importance of through their community project proposals. Border Surveillance and Coordination However, the funds have not been used till date, http://www.globalcommunities.org/node/38076 the Ministry noted, reporting that community members have started asking several questions Discussion topics regarding this decision. Responders are discussing 1. Cross-border issues: The Liberian government ways of making use of the money that is still along with its partners involved in securing the available for all the Liberian communities. borders with Ebola-affected countries (Sierra

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 http://www.usaid.gov/ https://www.internews.org/ http://www.healthcommcapacity.org/ Media Newsletter Information Saves Lives Issue #11 - May 8-15

Citizens’ Feedback http://on.fb.me/1NM9DKt/internewsliberia

ROUTINE VACCINE The citizens are saying the parents are now taking their children In , the citizens are confirming that UNICEF, County Health Teams and to hospitals and clinics where they can receive routine traditional authorities are actively educating people about routine vaccinations. vaccinations to help protect against serious childhood illnesses. Sinoe Residents are confirming that Rose Cooper, leader of the measles vaccine awareness team, spoke on Radio Joy Locals are confirming that they now take their children to receive the Africa. They say that, though this talk, all listeners were provided routine vaccines because they trusted only in their local leaders – who information on how to distinguish between the routine educated them about the importance of these vaccines, and the difference vaccinations and the Ebola vaccine. between them and the trial Ebola vaccine. Margibi Nimba

Citizens say UNICEF and Crusaders For Peace have been Local authorities are now using the local radio to organizing awareness campaigns about the importance encourage communities to take their children to clinics of routine vaccinations in . and hospitals where they can receive the routine vaccine, citizens of say. Montserrado Locals are reporting that the Liberian Red Cross hired some locals join their mission and educate communities on the Residents in say the County Health Team, Bong importance of measles vaccine. Mines radio and other organizations are educating Grand Gedeh communities on the difference between the Ebola and the measles vaccine. Residents are confirming that the measles vaccine Bong campaign was launched in their county on May 8, 2015, by the Ministry of Health and the County Health Team. The Ministry of Health and its partners are carrying out Citizens are saying the County Health Team are awareness campaigns on the measles vaccine, helping citizens to partnering with local authorities in educating people differentiate between the routine and the Ebola vaccine. on the importance of the routine vaccinations. Grand Kru 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 #11 - May 8-15

Citizens’ Feedback http://on.fb.me/1NM9DKt/internewsliberia MALARIA EBOLA TREATMENT UNITS Montserrado County residents rumor that the distribution of People are rumoring that if the Ebola Treatment Units (ETUs) remain insecticide treated mosquito nets is a strategy of spreading Ebola in open despite the country being declared Ebola-free, the government Liberia because the nets have been infected with Ebola instead. Montserrado could be tempted to start infecting people with the disease. Margibi EBOLA FUNDS

The citizens are rumoring that those who manage the Citizens are rumoring that the ETU in will shut Ebola funds are seeking ways of bringing back Ebola to down on May 15, 2015. They are also wondering what new jobs Liberia so as to continue embezzling money. ETU workers will take up, given that they have acquired rare skills in fighting deadly epidemics. Montserrado Grand Kru ROUTINE VACCINE EBOLA-FREE LIBERIA Citizens are rumoring that the on-going polio campaign will bring back Ebola in the peak of Liberia's rainy season. Citizens are asking why Liberia should be declared Ebola-free despite the fact that its neighbors (Sierra Montserrado Leone and Guinea) are still battling to end Ebola. Maryland Locals are rumoring that their children will be given the Ebola vaccine instead of the routine vaccine. PREVENTION MEASURES Grand Gedeh Citizens are rumoring that several community members in Citizens are rumoring about a measles outbreak in district fell ill after drinking water from a well that four of . Although the outbreak has contained chlorine. They claim that the well owner poured lasted more than four weeks, there has not been any chlorine into the well without informing other users. assistance to victims, the citizens claim. Nimba Grand Bassa

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 http://www.usaid.gov/ https://www.internews.org/ http://www.healthcommcapacity.org/ Media Newsletter Information Saves Lives Issue #11 - May 8-15

Citizens’ Feedback http://on.fb.me/1NM9DKt/internewsliberia

ROUTINE VACCINE PREVENTION MEASURES

People are reporting that citizens are now taking their children to Aid agency Save the Children donated an ambulance to the health facilities where they can receive the routine vaccine. The people County Health Team, residents say. add that their County Health Team effectively educated them on the importance of the vaccine and also demonstrated how they could Grand Gedeh differentiate it from the Ebola vaccine. Residents in are saying UNICEF, WHO, eHealth and EBOLA TREATMENT UNITS other organizations are carrying out awareness about the polio vaccine. Gbarpolu Residents claim that the ETU in shut down last week. Bomi Citizens are reporting that local authorities have taken MALARIA the initiative to use the local radio and inform residents about the need for routine vaccines to be accepted by all The citizens are saying that the free families. distribution of insecticide treated mosquito nets Red cross, UNICEF and MOH are motivating people have been heavily accepted by community about the routine vaccine and encouraging parents to members. They also say the exercise started in take their children to clinics and hospitals. Greenville City and Kpayan district. Bomi Sinoe

People in these counties are confirming that the measles vaccine campaign was Residents say the free distribution of insecticide launched on May 8, 2015. treated mosquito nets has begun in their county The people living in the rural areas of Grand Bassa County, including district four, without any pockets of resistance by the local have not been informed about the routine vaccines, citizens say. people. Grand Cape Mount, Gbarpolu, Bong, Sinoe and Grand Bassa 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 #11 - May 8-15

http://on.fb.me/1NM9DKt/internewsliberia Rumors Reporting

Ebola Treatment Units (ETUs)

Rumors from local people Well-sourced and accurate responses Grand Kru County The Ministry of Health recognizes the need for a structured, regulated and financially motivated Citizens are rumoring that community health workforce. They are discussinghttp://bit.ly/1Ptqje0 ways of transforming Community the ETU in Grand Kru County Health Volunteers into health workers. They recognize that the Ebola outbreak will shut down on May 15, crippled the health care system http://1.usa.gov/1F8WwjDin Liberia, andhttp://bit.ly/Q5J4qw exposed a lack of clear health 2015. They are also protocols and guidelines and limited directives on how to stay safe in the wake of wondering what new jobs an epidemic. It also uncovered the need for new staffs ranging from ETU workers will take up, community mobilizers, health promoters and contact given that they have acquired tracers. rare skills in fighting deadly epidemics. With regards to ETUs that are still opened, the World Health Organization (WHO) http://bit.ly/1KxKiSQguidelines on closing down ETUs stresses that the Liberian government must Margibi County endorse every ETU shut down, and that the agency running the ETU must clearly explain the process to the host community. The process could either be a complete People are rumoring that if shut down or repurposing of treatment facilities to serve for future deadly the Ebola Treatment Units epidemics like cholera that need isolation. (ETUs) remain open despite the country being declared In Margibi County, the ETU run by the Firestone Company team is still operational, Ebola-free, the government while that of the United States Public Health Service team closed. In , the could be tempted to start International Medical Corps-operated ETU has its shut dohttp://bit.ly/1Dk98Ecwn in progress. infecting people with the disease. Clickhttp://bit.ly/1Hceori here to rehttp://bit.ly/1HceLrfad more.

*For more information interviews, journalists/communicators can contact:

International Medical Corps Dziwe Ntaba, Training Director Phone: 0775059567 [email protected]

Ministry of Health and Social Welfare Targbeh Wreeh, Supervisor Phone: 886826547 [email protected]

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 http://www.usaid.gov/ https://www.internews.org/ http://www.healthcommcapacity.org/

Media Newsletter Information Saves Lives Issue #11 - May 8-15

http://on.fb.me/1NM9DKt/internewsliberia Malaria Montserrado County In April 2015, Liberia’s Ministry of Health (MOH) http://bit.ly/1A9U64Oannounced that a consignment of at least 2.8 million mosquito nets has arrived in the country for distribution to Montserrado County households across the 15 cohttp://bit.ly/1Lunties.T58Ai The mosquito netshttp://1.usa.gov/1coXJIT are free of charge and residents rumor that the distribution began on April 25 (World Malaria Day). The consignment of long lasting distribution of insecticide insecticide treated mosquito nets (LLINs) donated by the Global Fund to fight HIV treated mosquito nets is a and AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (GFATM) in Liberia, is the largest single donation strategy of spreading Ebola of LLINs since the start of the Global Fund Project in Liberia in 2005, according to in Liberia because the nets MOH. have been infected with Ebola instead. Plan Liberia and Roll Back Malaria are among other key organizations involved in the LLINs distribution across Liberia. The campaign intends to mainly target those worst affected by malaria: pregnant women and children under five.

Plan Liberia Tamba Nyuma, Child protection Advisor Phone: 0770009076 [email protected]

World Health Organization (WHO) Mr. Eric Johnson, Health Economist Phone: +231 886516803 [email protected] http://bit.ly/1rYymiq

Plan Liberia http://bit.ly/1LT58Ai Dr Collins Sayang, Program Support Manager Phone: 0770 009 022 Collins.Sayang@plan-internatiohttp://1.usa.gov/1Jcailznal.org

More Than Me Janessa Wells, Child Health and Wellness Program Manager Phone: 0555879843 janessa@mohttp://bit.ly/1AR14q4rethanme.org

Ebola-free Liberia

Maryland County The World Health Organization (WHO) can only declare a country Ebola-free once that country successfully completes 42 days — twice the maximum incubation Citizens are asking why period for the deadly disease — without any new cases. Liberia successfully went Liberia should be declared through that test. This does not mean that citizens should be complacent in their Ebola-free despite the fact long-term struggle because its closest neighbors (Guinea and Sierra Leone) are still badly hit by Ebola. WHO recommends strict vigilance, heightened border that its neighbors (Sierra surveillance and the continuous respect of Ebola prevention measures. Leone and Guinea) are still battling to end 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 http://www.usaid.gov/ https://www.internews.org/ http://www.healthcommcapacity.org/

Media Newsletter Information Saves Lives Issue #11 - May 8-15

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Routine Vaccine

Montserrado County Now as Liberia moves http://bit.ly/1Ff4wC7on from Ebola, rebuilding the health care system and restoring its immunization programs are two of the government's top priorities. As part of that Citizens are rumoring that effort, Liberia launched a nationwide measles vaccination campaign on May 8, 2015. the on-going polio Health officials hope to reach almost 700,000 children in a country of 4 million campaign will bring back people. Officials working on the routine vaccination campaign hope to vaccinate 95 Ebola in the peak of percent of children under five years old against measles. They tried a similar Liberia’s rainy season. campaign in February when the measles outbreak was just gaining steam. That effort failed, and Ebola was to blame. Grand Gedeh County That February immunization drivehttp://bit.ly/1wEobaB coincided with the launch of the experimental Locals are rumoring that Ebola vaccine trial for adults. Parents confused the two and refused to bring their their children will be given children to the health clinics or hospitals. Officials say they've sent out Red Cross and the Ebola vaccine instead other volunteers to assure parents that this immunization drive is ONLY about of the routine vaccine. protecting their kids from measles.

Grand Bassa County Click http://n.pr/1JawEpOhere to read more.

Citizens are rumoring *For more information interviews, journalists/communicators can contact: about a measles outbreak in district four of Grand Liberia National Redhttp://1.usa.gov/1Jcailz Cross Society Bassa County. Although the Danise Love Dennis, Beneficiary Communications Supervisor outbreak has lasted more Phone: 0886388690/0775249430 than four weeks, there has [email protected] not been any assistance to victims, the citizens claim. UNICEF Liberia . Alvina Lim, Communications Specialist Phone: 0770267938 [email protected]

Ebola Funds Montserrado County According to an http://bit.ly/1AfJDEIExecutive Mansion release quoting presidential Press Secretary Jerolinmek Piah, the media reports and rumors about the government “shielding The citizens are rumoring corruption” are incorrect and misleading. Rather, Piah says, they are intended to that those who manage the damage ongoing efforts by the Government to deepen programs of transparency Ebola funds are seeking and accountability under which continuous audits are being conducted, reports ways of bringing back Ebola made public, and actions taken in keeping with the findings and recommendations of to Liberia so as to continue the Ebola auditing teams. embezzling money. The presidential spokesman indicated that to remind the country of the recent difficulties in the fight against the dreadful Ebola virus disease, and the success of the entire nation in overcoming this epidemic as the Liberian President has done, in no way suggests that she condones the “misuse and abuse” of the public trust.

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 http://www.usaid.gov/ https://www.internews.org/ http://www.healthcommcapacity.org/

Media Newsletter Information Saves Lives Issue #11 - May 8-15

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Meanwhile, the presidential press secretary has termed as “mean-spirited and unpatriotic” the attitudhttp://bit.ly/1Ff4wC7e of attacking the Liberian President while she is on a foreign mission to represent the collective best interests of the nation.

http://bit.ly/1AfJDEIClick here to read more.

*For more information interviews, journalists/communicators can contact:

Executive Mansion Jerolinmek Matthew Piah, Press Secretary to the President [email protected] http://bit.ly/1wEobaB

Prevention Measures Nimba County The Centers for Disease Control and Preventihttp://1.usa.gov/1KfAOybon says Health workers in West Africa should be aware of rumors that drinking chlorine or disinfectant solutions could cure Citizens are rumoring that or prevent the Ebola virus disease. Chlorine is NOT a cure for Ebola. No one should several community ever drink chlorine or disinfectant solutions containing chlorine. When chlorine, members in Nimba County sometimes calledhttp://1.usa.gov/1Jcailz bleach, is swallowed it can make people very sick, or even lead to fell ill after drinking water death. Drinking or inhaling chlorine can cause: from a well that contained · Abdominal pain chlorine. They claim that · Burning in the eyes, nose and throat the well owner poured · Chest discomfort chlorine into the well · Coughing and/or wheezing without informing other · Nausea and vomiting users. · Skin burns

If a chlorine compound or chlorine disinfectant is swallowed, and that person feels ill as a result, seek medical attention.

Clickhttp://1.usa.gov/1KfAOyb here to read more. *For more information interviews, journalists/communicators can contact:

United Nations Mission for Ebola Emergency Response George Conway, US CDC Senior Medical Officer Phone: 770003949 [email protected]

Tiyatien Health John Ly, MD, Medical Director Phone: 0775586946; 0886446122 [email protected]

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 http://www.usaid.gov/ https://www.internews.org/ http://www.healthcommcapacity.org/

Media Newsletter Information Saves Lives Issue #11 - May 8-15

http://on.fb.me/1NM9DKt/internewsliberia THE MOST FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS IN THE GEOPOLL SURVEY Information Needs Analysis

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS FROM COUNTIES BOMI COUNTY - What measures could be put in place - What is the origin of Ebola? to end Ebola? - What are the current updates on - What is the future of Ebola in Liberia? Ebola? - What is the origin of Ebola in Liberia? - What measures could be put in place to end Ebola? BONG COUNTY - What are the current updates on MARGIBI COUNTY Ebola? - What is the origin of Ebola? - What is the origin of Ebola? - What are the current updates on - What measures could be put in place Ebola? to end Ebola? - What are the symptoms of Ebola?

GRAND BASSA COUNTY - What are the current updates on - What is the origin of Ebola? Ebola? - What measures could be put in place MONTSERRADO COUNTY to end Ebola? - What measures could be put in place to end Ebola? - What is the origin of Ebola? - What is the origin of Ebola? - What are the current updates on Ebola? GRAND CAPE MOUNT - What measures could be put in place NIMBA COUNTY to end Ebola? - What are the current updates on Ebola? - What are the current updates on - What measures could be put in place to end Ebola? Ebola? - What are the symptoms of Ebola?

GRAND GEDEH COUNTY SINOE - What are the non-Ebola related - What is the origin of Ebola? concerns? - What measures could be put in place to end Ebola? - What are the current updates on 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

http://www.usaid.gov/ https://www.internews.org/ http://www.healthcommcapacity.org/

Media Newsletter Information Saves Lives Issue #11 - May 8-15

http://on.fb.me/1NM9DKt/internewsliberia Media contacts

International Medical Corps Save the Children Liberia Dziwe Ntaba, Training Director Gradiah Walker, Advocacy and Policy Manager Phone: 0775059567 Phone: 0886 556 290 [email protected] [email protected]

Ministry of Health and Social Welfare UNICEF Liberia Targbeh Wreeh, Supervisor Alvina Lim, Communications Specialist Phone: 886826547 Phone: 0770267938 [email protected] [email protected] Executive Mansion Plan Liberia Jerolinmek Matthew Piah, Press Secretary to the Tamba Nyuma, Child protection Advisor President Phone: 0770009076 [email protected] [email protected]

United Nations Mission for Ebola Emergency World Health Organization (WHO) Response George Conway, US CDC Senior Medical Mr. Eric Johnson, Health Economist Officer Phone: +231 886516803 Phone: 770003949 [email protected] [email protected] Plan Liberia Tiyatien Health Dr Collins Sayang, Program Support Manager John Ly, MD, Medical Director Phone: 0770 009 022 Phone: 0775586946; 0886446122 [email protected]

[email protected] More Than Me

Janessa Wells, Child Health and Wellness Program Liberia National Red Cross Society Manager Danise Love Dennis, Beneficiary Communications Phone: 0555879843 Supervisor [email protected] Phone: 0886388690/0775249430 [email protected] World Health Organisation (WHO) Carmen L. Pessoa-Silva, Infectious Prevention & Control World Health Organisation (WHO) Officer Eileen Farnan, Case Management Officer Phone: 0886092544 Phone: 0888135625 [email protected] [email protected] International Federation of Red Cross and Red Projects Concern International (PCI) Liberia Crescent Societies (IFRC) Jolene M. Mullins, Country Representative, Health & Michael Gloeckle, Safe & Dignified Burrial Coordinator Nutrition Manager Phone: 0770413480 Phone: 0880711148 [email protected] [email protected] UNICEF Organization for Migration (IOM) Rania Elessawi, C4D Specialist Andrew Lind, Communications Officer [email protected] Phone: 0880183882 [email protected]

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 http://www.usaid.gov/ https://www.internews.org/ http://www.healthcommcapacity.org/

Media Newsletter Information Saves Lives Issue #11 - May 8-15

http://on.fb.me/1NM9DKt/internewsliberia

Resources for the media

How is the end of an Ebola outbreak decided and Guinea and Liberia Publically Discuss the Importance declared? of Border Surveillance and Coordination www.who.int/csr/disease/ebola/declaration- http://www.globalcommunities.org/node/38076 ebola-end/en/ Preparedness of Liberia to Rapidly Detect and Health advisory (11 may 2015) Respond to an Ebola Outbreak https://www.moh.gov.sg/content/moh_web/home/p http://apps.who.int/ebola/en/current- ressRoom/Current_Issues/2014/ebola-virus-disease- situation/ebola-situation-report-13-may-2015 .html Ebola Situation Report - 13 May 2015 Internews Humanitarian Newsletter Issue 9 http://apps.who.int/ebola/en/current- https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B1D2eBmYrnOxR situation/ebola-situation-report-13-may-2015 DR0OC0zb0t0VW8&authuser=0 Statement on the declaration of a state of emergency Ebola Situation Report - 13 May 2015 by President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, August 6, 2014 http://apps.who.int/ebola/en/current- http://www.emansion.gov.lr/doc/sdseg.pdf situation/ebola-situation-report-13-may-2015 Guinea and Liberia Publically Discuss the Importance Statement on the declaration of a state of emergency of Border Surveillance and Coordination by President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, August 6, 2014 http://www.globalcommunities.org/node/38076 http://www.emansion.gov.lr/doc/sdseg.pdf

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