Mags GarganIrish missionaries are continuing to work alongside communities in Africa ravaged by the deadly virus
Missionaries have warned that, without expert medics from the developed world, it will be hard to tackle the spread of the Ebola virus in West Africa.
Irish missionaries are continuing to work alongside communities in Africa ravaged by the deadly virus as the Government confirms that it will provide an additional €600,000 in emergency aid.
Bro. Michael Koroma, secretary of the St John of God African Province, said he feared for the safety of the brothers who were working in the frontline following confirmation of a second Spanish missionary priest, Fr Manuel Garcia Viejo has Ebola. A Spanish priest based in Liberia, Fr Miguel Pajares, died in August following repatriation to Spain after contracting the virus.
“It is true that the people need health services now but we are not experts. Send at least one epidemiologist to reside in each of the health centres to supervise infection prevention and control,” Bro. Michael said.
Sr Mary Sweeney, a member of the Sisters of St Joseph of Cluny who has remained in Sierra Leone throughout the crisis, told The Irish Catholic that a three-day curfew to allow volunteers to circulate information, isolate the sick and remove the dead “went very smoothly” over the weekend.
“A number of bodies were found and people saw how important it is to tell others about infections and deaths,” she said.
However the disease shows no sign of slowing down, with the death toll now over 2,800.
Ireland is providing emergency supplies such as blankets, tents, mosquito nets and water tanks to infected areas.