After 27 Days Without A New Ebola Case -- Guinea Just Recorded One More...

In candor, we always need to be steeled for, and even expect. . . set-backs, in any viral epidemic management effort. We see them here in the US, in many places -- even with the vaccines rolling out.

And we've just seen them in Guinea, here at week's end. One new case, per local reporting:

. . .The case was registered in Soulouta village of the southeastern N'Zerekore region after none had been reported since March 4, with the WHO Regional Office for Africa underlining in a Twitter post that it continues to support case management, surveillance and community engagement efforts.

"Saddened to hear of the #Ebola case reported in Guinea after 27 days without a new confirmed case. We remain on high alert — supporting Guinean health authorities' surveillance efforts and preparedness in neighbouring areas," the WHO's Africa director, Matshidiso Moeti, said on Twitter.

This brings the number of Ebola cases in Guinea to 19, including eight registered deaths, disrupting the countdown that began on March 24, 2021. . . .

Discouraging. So, the countdown starts anew -- to an all clear, in a few weeks. . . but with a working vaccine -- and good contact tracing (as well as emerging therapeutics), this is not insurmountable. Onward, smiling -- with Mongolian ribs on the grill, here -- after a long mountain bike ride. . . .

नमस्ते