About 1,000 blood samples tested in Sierra Leone: Chinese medical expert

Since the arrival of the Chinese medical team, they have tested about 1,000 blood samples and about fifty percent have been proved positive, the Deputy Director of the China's Center for Disease Control and Prevention told Xinhua in an exclusive interview on Wednesday.

Dr. Gao Fu noted this was not too good for the control of the Ebola virus in the country.

He said the samples sent to the Chinese laboratory are those that have reported to treatment centers and "you can imagine the number that are carrying the virus that have not been isolated".

Gao underscored the need for the isolation of Ebola positive people so as to cut the chain of transmission. He emphasised that the key to eradicate the virus is "isolation and to cut the transmission".

He also maintained that Ebola is a very contagious disease and it is transmitted by "people to people contact".

The Chinese medical team is divided into two units, a holding center and a mobile laboratory. The lab receives the blood samples for testing whilst the holding center admits the suspected cases. Those that are proved positive are referred to a treatment center whilst the ones proved negative are referred to a hospital.

Dr. Gao said with the advent of the Chinese laboratory, testing time has been reduced and it has helped immensely in getting the positive cases to the treatment center.

He suggested a district and community approach in addressing the virus noting that most of the communities lack holding and treatment centers and called for a more proactive approach to deal with the virus. "The country needs more people to come very fast. We need a ground cutting action".

One other observation made by the Chinese expert was that much as the country in receiving assistance from various quarters but what is needed is "a strong leadership and coordination".

He however noted that compared to when they just arrived things "are better now".

One of the Chinese doctors at the Holding center, Dr. Mou Jinsong said at the holding center that their relationship with the local staff was very good, describing them as "brave and cooperative".

Their main challenge, he noted, was using personal protective equipment to protect them further.

On their relationship with the Chinese team, the Head of the local team at the holding center, Dr. Alex Kanu described it as "very cordial and friendly". He said they have learnt a lot from their Chinese counterparts which he said has helped to make their work much easier.