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Naomi works in the Ebola area: ‘Family of social workers think work is risky’

Naomi is a press officer and is normally responsible for communication in the Netherlands. “From the start I wanted to do something abroad, but because of corona it didn’t work out for a while,” says Nolte.

Flights canceled

Last week, Nolte arrived in Conakry, the capital of Guinea. Getting to the Ebola-stricken area of ​​Nzérékoré, in the extreme southeast of Guinea, was quite a challenge afterwards. “Plane flights were not available, so the journey had to be by road.”


“In the end I spent 21 hours in the car. Still, the journey went fine. Although it was quite bumpy on the way.” This is also clearly visible on images that Nolte herself has put on Twitter.


Posting images is what Nolte will be doing a lot in the next two months. “I’m going to take pictures, draw up press releases and update the social media. With the aim of drawing attention to the developments.”

Little attention

Because the situation in Guinea has received little attention recently. Nolte has an explanation for it: “Maybe because we spend a lot of time working with corona. But that’s why it’s important that I’m here.”


“It is very worrying. 14 cases of Ebola have now been confirmed. In addition, there are 4 more people who are suspected of having the virus. There is a lot of movement in the region, also because Nzérékoré is close to the border with Liberia and Ivory Coast. Ebola also has a long incubation period. It can take up to 21 days until you get symptoms. In other words: a lot of people can be infected without knowing it. Extra help is badly needed and we will also further upscaling. “


What is Ebola?

Ebola is a virus. According to the RIVM, outbreaks of the virus have so far only occurred in Africa. People spread it through direct contact with blood, feces, urine, semen, vomit and sweat.

Most people develop complaints a week after infection. But for some, this can only happen after three weeks. The main symptoms are fever, headache and muscle pain. Diarrhea and vomiting also occur, which causes dehydration. And typical of Ebola: internal and external bleeding. When that happens, a patient is the most contagious. In Africa, more than half of the people who contract the virus die.


Residents of the affected area are skeptical, Naomi notes. “There is sometimes a lot of mistrust. When outsiders tell the local population that Ebola has broken out, it is not always believed.”

Trust in volunteers

“That’s why we work with local volunteers. People from within the community who inform others about the virus. About how to prevent infection and how to recognize the symptoms of the disease. Those volunteers are becoming more trusted.”


Residents in the affected area fear the virus, local relief workers in their own communities have noted. Christine, a local counselor, told me that it is complicated for her to do her job. People around her think it is risky and therefore stay away from her. Still, Christine says: I think this is so important that I will continue to test decrease and keep helping. “


Testing is an important method to contain the virus. “The test is a bit like the corona test. Cheek mucosa is taken with a large cotton swab. The test is placed in a cool box and sent to a laboratory.”

Not a white suit

Nolte himself went to a test administration last Friday. It is striking that she did not have to wear a large white suit, as we know it from the big Ebola outbreak of 2014. “Corona is transmissible via the air, Ebola is not. Transmission takes place via bodily fluids. So if you keep your distance. and don’t shake hands, then you’re safe. “

“Of course it’s a bit exciting. But I feel safe. In addition, I have to take my temperature twice a day. And if we have symptoms, then we have to stay indoors. Then we will be well taken care of right away, so I make that. don’t worry about it. “


In addition to testing, vaccination will hopefully help contain the outbreak. “Vaccination has started on the contacts of people who have Ebola and also the contacts of those contacts,” says Nolte. “In addition, about 70 Red Cross relief workers have received a vaccine. It is really about people who work on the front lines, not me.”

11,000 vaccinations

The fact that a vaccine is available at all is a big difference from the outbreak in 2014. It was not there then. “Last week, 11,000 vaccines were flown in by the World Health Organization WHO. 1,800 have now been administered. It’s a good start,” says Nolte.

1.3 million people live in the affected area. “When vaccinating, it is also important that local care providers tell the population why a vaccine is needed, so that as many people as possible get vaccinated.”


Today Nolte had a quiet day for the time being. “But you never know. It may just be that something will suddenly happen. For example, conduct a safe funeral. Ebola patients are still very contagious after their death. People often wash the deceased here and touch the body. is very risky, and we train emergency services so that they can perform safe funerals.

Ebola in corona

“What strikes me the most is that people here are extremely resilient,” says Nolte. “Years ago they had a huge outbreak. Then came the corona pandemic and now Ebola again. They have to keep going and you can see that they are doing that.”


How long Nolte will stay in the area is not entirely certain. It can be a month, but also two months. But probably not longer than two months. Then she will be relieved by a colleague. “When I go home, I have to keep taking my temperature for another 21 days to see if I haven’t contracted the virus.”

“In addition, you also have the corona measures. So I already told my friend that we will go into quarantine together for 10 days when I get back.”


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