A new phase in the Ebola war

Abstract

As new cases drop in Liberia, experts call for a fresh strategy that would target flare-ups.The number of new Ebola cases in Liberia, one of the hardest hit countries in the current epidemic, has come down to about 20 per day, far fewer than models predicted a few months ago. Ebola treatment units now have hundreds of empty beds, and the fight against the virus is entering a new phase. Back in September, the key job was building clinics, removing the dead, and keeping as many patients as possible isolated. Now, it's about setting up a flexible system to respond to new outbreaks, identifying patients quickly, and tracing their contacts to prevent more infections. Meanwhile, outbreaks are still flaring up in the remote districts, making it unlikely that Liberia can put a stop to the epidemic anytime soon.