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          Guinea Continues Probe Into Slayings of Ebola Health Workers

   by Karim Camara

   Guinea's Ministry of Justice said its investigation into the September
   killings of Ebola awareness health workers and a journalist in Wome is
   moving swiftly, with a trial expected by the end of the year.

   The murders of the eight people in Wome in September sent shock waves
   of concern through Guinea and the international community that the
   already difficult fight against Ebola was going to be that much harder.

   The team of health workers and a journalist were brutally attacked in
   Wome as they traveled through the southeast to raise awareness about
   the virus.

   Fear and suspicion of health workers, denial about the virus and
   ignorance on its transmission were an early hallmark of the first Ebola
   outbreak in West Africa.

   What is considered the worst Ebola outbreak in history is believed to
   have originated in this part of Guinea in December.

   Investigation into killings

   Guinean authorities acted swiftly to the Wome killings - by increasing
   security for health workers and increasing efforts to spread awareness.

   Justice Minister Cheick Sakho said authorities are also working swiftly
   on the legal case against those responsible for the murders.

   Sakho said 81 people have been indicted, so far, and 39 are in custody.
   Police have 40 more arrest warrants to execute.

   He said 20 witnesses in the case have come forward and more than a
   dozen statements have been taken from complainants.

   In Wome, there is now fear of legal prosecution.

   A group of politicians and human right activists calling themselves
   members of the WOME crisis committee said thousands of residents have
   fled the town to hide in the nearby forests. The local committee said
   more than a dozen people have died of snake bites or lack of proper
   care while in hiding.

   The crisis committee said they went on a hunger strike to demand the
   government withdraw soldiers from Wome - accusing them of vandalism.
   The military was sent to Wome in the aftermath of the September
   killings.

   Meanwhile, Justice Minister Sakho said the swift execution of justice
   will put an end to this unfortunate incident.

   Sakho said the investigation is being handled in a professional, legal
   and independent manner and he expects the suspects to face trial by the
   end of the year.

   Families of the victims have already received $10,000 in compensation
   from the government.

   Struggles with epidemic

   Meanwhile, Guinea - along with Sierra Leone and Liberia - continues to
   struggle to stem the epidemic. There have been more than 14,400
   suspected cases and close to 5,200 deaths.

   Guinean and U.N. officials last week completed training 1,000 people on
   how to conduct contact tracing of individuals who may have come in
   contact with sick people to stem contamination.

   Ebola is spread through close contact with an infected person's body
   fluids.

   Guinea has also intensified its youth campaign, deploying about 15,000
   trained young people to go door to door to help educate citizens on how
   to stop and prevent the spread of Ebola.
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   [1]http://www.voanews.com/content/guinea-continues-probe-into-slayings-
   of-ebola-health-workers/2524440.html

References

   1. http://www.voanews.com/content/guinea-continues-probe-into-slayings-of-ebola-health-workers/2524440.html