We are finishing working on some technical issues with the propulsion system of the ship, and let me tell you, I'm quite happy to have these wonderful talented people fixing the propulsion systems of a ship on which we will sail through the oceans! Those should be complete this week.
The second is Ebola. As most of you know, the target service area of the Africa Mercy is what we refer to as the "15x15 grid" that is 15 degrees north and south of the equator and 15 degrees east and west of the prime meridian. This covers 17 countries in West and Central Africa, but it also the area that has Ebola.
Here is the latest update from the World Health Organization on statistics of those infected with Ebola:
Disease update
As of 26 August 2014, the cumulative number of cases attributed to EVD in the four countries stands at 3069, including 1552 deaths. The distribution and classification of the cases are as follows: Guinea, 647 cases (482 confirmed, 141 probable, and 25 suspected), including 430 deaths; Liberia, 1378 cases (322 confirmed, 674 probable, and 382 suspected), including 694 deaths; Nigeria, 17 cases (13 confirmed, 1 probable, and 3 suspected), including 6 deaths; and Sierra Leone, 1026 cases (935 confirmed, 37 probable, and 54 suspected), including 422 deaths.
Confirmed, probable, and suspect cases and deaths from Ebola virus disease in Guinea, Liberia, Nigeria, and Sierra Leone
| Confirmed | Probable | Suspect | Totals | |
| Guinea | ||||
| Cases | 482 | 141 | 25 | 648 |
| Deaths | 287 | 141 | 2 | 430 |
| Liberia | ||||
| Cases | 322 | 674 | 382 | 1 378 |
| Deaths | 225 | 301 | 168 | 694 |
| Nigeria | ||||
| Cases | 13 | 1 | 3 | 17 |
| Deaths | 5 | 1 | 0 | 6 |
| Sierra Leone | ||||
| Cases | 935 | 37 | 54 | 1 026 |
| Deaths | 380 | 34 | 8 | 422 |
| Totals | ||||
| Cases | 1 752 | 853 | 464 | 3 069 |
| Deaths | 897 | 477 | 178 | 1 552 |
However, this is a disease that reared it's ugly head in December 2013. You might say 3,000 cases in 9 months, that's not too bad . . . then we start taking a closer look at what isn't revealed in the simple numbers: 40% of these cases have occurred in the last 21 days . . . these numbers are far greater than all previously reported Ebola cases, COMBINED! . . . many sources are reporting that the "official" numbers are significantly under reported, maybe by as much as 50%. Wait, you say, I don't see the Democratic Republic of Congo on here . . . you are right, they aren't shown in this update, but there is now Ebola there as well. Final tests of the strain of Ebola aren't in, but again many sources are reporting this likely is a separate outbreak and numbers are very unclear. Oh, did I mention that late this week Senegal reported it's first case.
We show Ebola stats based on country but the disease doesn't know country borders . . . Africa is much more based on tribal groups rather than country borders, many of which are very porous.
What this all means to us is that, for now, we won't be going to any of the countries in our traditional service area. Our original plan of returning to Guinea was changed in April to Benin. This week, we were notified of the final decision to postpone our field service in Benin. The risk is just too high and the senior management of Mercy Ships has emphasized time and again that the safety of our crew is paramount!
Some will ask "You're a hospital ship poised to serve this area, why don't you go help with Ebola?" It is true we are a hospital ship; however, we are a specialized surgical ship that is not equipped to deal with a disease that requires quarantine and isolation methods. We have wards, we don't have single rooms. Our traditional methods for screening patients brings huge crowds together. When we conduct a screening, we widely publicize the conditions we are able to treat. We give picture examples of the tumors, the clefts, the orthopedic deformities . . . and yet people come because they had a heart attack or their child suffers from cerebral palsy or some other medical condition that we don't treat. Who can blame that parent of a sick child, certainly not me! Large gatherings of sick people are exactly what this area does not need right now.
Where are we going? This is a good question, one that is being explored by our senior management. We should have an answer very soon.
What can you do? Continue to keep us in your thoughts and prayers. We hope this big white hospital ship will be on the move soon (hopefully within days rather than weeks) and will update you. Above all, inform yourselves about the Ebola outbreak. This was going on for months before two Americans contracted the disease. Our western media wasn't paying much attention until then . . . yet people in Africa were dying. Pray for these people, look into the two organizations that are doing much of the work on the ground. They are Doctors Without Borders and Samaritan's Purse. These two groups have been doing great work, if it fits your giving plans, look into them!
Finally, we ask that you pray for all the West Africans affected by this horrible disease. We have several serving as crew members here on the Africa Mercy. They are having a tough time balancing being here on this mission with the problems faced by their friends and relatives at home.
Finally, we ask that you pray for all the West Africans affected by this horrible disease. We have several serving as crew members here on the Africa Mercy. They are having a tough time balancing being here on this mission with the problems faced by their friends and relatives at home.
Blessings to all, we will update as soon as country next (round 3) is finalized!
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