Health Security and Emergencies

Ebola Response

13 October 2014

Health Security and Emergencies

Ebola: A Global Health Security Threat

1. Serious situation – no immediate sign that Ebola is under control

2. Risk to our Region – LOW likelihood, but HIGH consequence

3. Action – GLOBAL solidarity and REGIONAL preparedness

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Health Security and Emergencies 3

Ebola Outbreak: Current Situation• Serious situation: > 8300

cases, > 4000 deaths

• HCWs are at high risk - over 400 cases, including over 200 deaths

• Beyond West Africa - A public health emergency of international concern

• Huge needs - requiring massive resources

Health Security and Emergencies

Ebola Response Roadmap

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GOAL: To stop Ebola transmission in affected countries within 6-9 months and prevent further international spread by…

WHO’S

health

response

GUIDED BY

the

ROADMAP

MAY 2015MAY 2015

Health Security and Emergencies

UNMEER Response Strategy

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One Team, One Vision: The UN Mission for Ebola Emergency Response (UNMEER) built on 5 Pillars

1STOP THE

OUTBREAK

2TREAT THE INFECTED

3ENSURE

ESSENTIAL SERVICES

4PRESERVE STABILITY

5PREVENT FURTHER

OUTBREAKS

Health Security and Emergencies

Regional Preparedness & Response

Three Action Areas in the WPR:

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1. SUPPORT the global Ebola response in West Africa

2. STRENGTHEN preparedness of the countries and areas in the region to rapidly detect and respond to any Ebola outbreak

3. ENSURE WHO’s system in place for EVD outbreak preparedness and response in the Western Pacific

Health Security and Emergencies

Supporting the global response

Medical and public health personnel (e.g. Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network or GOARN)

Equipment and supplies (e.g. PPE)

Funding support

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Type of support

Health Security and Emergencies

Checking level of preparedness in the Region

• Strengthened IHR core capacities through APSED implementation

• Overall good preparedness for Ebola response, but NOT fully equipped, as evidenced by:– The recent Ebola preparedness

survey results– The Regional Ebola Simulation

Exercise conducted 8-9 Oct

Health Security and Emergencies

Ensuring WHO’s critical functions

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• Ebola situation monitoring and awareness

• Regional risk assessment• A Framework for Action for

preparedness • Technical support to

countries • Regional Ebola simulation

exercise to test readiness

WPRO Emergency Operations Centre (EOC):

Health Security and Emergencies

Risk to the Western Pacific Region

The possibility of imported EVD case(s) is not high, but if it occurs, consequences could be significant

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Secondary transmission

Health impact: Infection of HCWs,

stress on health systems

Beyond health: Reputational

damage to gov’t authorities and economic loss

Potential CONSEQUENCES

Health Security and Emergencies

Monitoring Ebola situation…

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No confirmed cases of EVD to date in WPR

8 countries and areas – have reported investigation of sick travelers from Ebola affected areas, all the “cases” discarded

We must remain vigilant and improve PREPAREDNESS for early detection and rapid response

Health Security and Emergencies

A Framework for Action in the Region

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SIX COMPONENTS1.Command and coordination2.Surveillance, risk assessment and response3.Laboratory4.Clinical management, infection prevention and control5.Public health intervention including points of entry measures 6.Risk communication

SIX COMPONENTS1.Command and coordination2.Surveillance, risk assessment and response3.Laboratory4.Clinical management, infection prevention and control5.Public health intervention including points of entry measures 6.Risk communication

Health Security and Emergencies

Level of preparedness: An online survey

•23 countries submitted a complete questionnaire•Good level of preparedness– Monitoring EVD situation (100%)– National response plan and coordination (95%)– Alerted frontline HCWs (90%)– Risk communication plan (78%)

•Several weak areas of concern: – Conduct country risk assessment (60%)– Specimen referral arrangement with a WHO CC (60%)– Manage returning travellers with Ebola-like symptoms (60%)

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Health Security and Emergencies

Regional Ebola Simulation Exercise• 23 countries participated, 8-

9 Oct• SIMULATION of 1st

imported Ebola case to check level of preparedness– Response plan and protocols – Patient isolation and contact

tracing– IHR reporting– Lab testing - specimen referral

arrangement with a WHO CC – Risk Communication - First

Announcement

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Health Security and Emergencies

Thank you