Assessing key considerations for burial practices, death and mourning in epidemics

On 17 January, a worker from the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) helps a fellow worker doff his personal protective equipment in Conakry, the capital. They are part of a team helping transport the body of a woman who died from EVD from Donka Hospital to a nearby cemetery. The workers are responsible for safe and dignified burials, which respect cultural and religious customs while still ensuring persons do not come in contact with highly contagious corpses. Also critical to curtailing the outbreak is raising awareness of how the disease is spread and of the importance of safe burials, as well as working to ensure that families inform health facilities when someone is sick or has died. UNICEF continues to support social mobilization initiatives that promote understanding of these best practices among households across the country. By 14 January 2015, Guinea remained one of three countries suffering widespread and intense transmission of Ebola virus disease (EVD). To date, there had been 2,806 cumulative cases (confirmed, probable and suspected), resulting in 1,814 deaths, in the country. As of 13 January, over 4.1 million children were living in areas affected by the virus, while 564 children and youth aged up to 20 years have themselves become infected. Despite these obstacles, in the week leading up to 14 January, the country reported its lowest weekly total of new confirmed EVD cases since the week ending 17 August 2014. UNICEF, together with partners, continues to provide vital support across multiple sectors, including communication for development (C4D), including efforts to raise awareness of the disease and effect behavioural changes that help halt its spread; health and nutrition; water, sanitation and hygiene; child protection; and education.