Year 1, Quarter 1, Report: Montserrado Ebola Prevention and Response

The consortium was comprised of five organizations, including the International Rescue Committee (IRC), Action Contre la Faim (ACF), Global Communities (GC), Medical Teams International (MTI), and iLab Liberia. The consortium's goal was to reduce morbidity as a result of the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) outbreak in Montserrado County. The IRC supported case investigation in Montserrado County by providing logistics support to case investigation teams. This included provision of case investigation forms, rain gear, fuel, and maintenance for eight case investigation vehicles. The IRC also maintained a backup stock of personal protective equipment (PPE) to supplement the County's supply and ensure there were no stockouts of materials needed for case investigation teams to safely carry out their work. The IRC collaborated with the Montserrado County Health Team (MCHT), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the World Health Organization (WHO), and the Ministry of Health (MoH) on the development of standard operating procedures (SOPs) for case investigators. The IRC also provided training for 71 new case investigators and refresher training for 16 existing case investigators. The IRC covered the hazard pay of case investigators who were not covered by other actors in the response. The IRC coordinated placement of case investigators with the MoH, MCHT, GC, eHealth, and the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC). The IRC supervised case investigators embedded within 13 burial teams and at four Ebola Treatment Units (ETUs) to ensure they were performing well. The IRC also worked to ensure that existing case investigation staff at a fifth ETU, run by Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF), used standard case investigation forms and adhered to County protocols for information sharing. The IRC supported two Ebola survivors to carry out in-depth investigations on infected health care workers at the Monrovia Medical Unit (MMU). These case investigators were mentored by MMU staff and are currently serving in several capacities at the MMU, including aiding in communication between families and patients. The IRC implemented a unique ID number system to track and manage case investigation data. This system allowed for the systematic investigation of every case, ensuring that critical information was collected and chains of transmission were not missed. The IRC also worked to ensure that existing case investigation staff at a fifth ETU, run by Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF), used standard case investigation forms and adhered to County protocols for information sharing. The close coordination and flexibility inherent in the consortium's approach allowed it to respond quickly to a broad range of needs across different key areas of the Ebola response. The consortium's focus on psychosocial first aid (PFA) will support the work of all consortium members by addressing the fear, stigma, and distress among individuals and communities affected by Ebola.