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Ebola Virus Disease in West Africa - Update as of May 20, 2015Since the start of the outbreak, WHO has reported a total of 26,933 cases (suspected, probable, and confirmed) and 11,120 deaths in the three most affected countries in West Africa (Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone). Liberia was declared free of Ebola virus disease on May 9, 2015, and has been removed from the risk areas in the InVS case definition. However, the WHO emphasizes the importance of enhanced surveillance for an additional 90 days due to the ongoing outbreak in the other two neighboring countries.The number of new cases reported (N=35) in the other two countries (Guinea and Sierra Leone) in week 20 is higher than in the previous week (N=9). This is the highest weekly case count in a month. (See map).It is not surprising to observe fluctuations in the number of cases reported per week in the countries still affected in West Africa, although current levels are significantly lower than those in 2014. Strengthening community engagement, identifying new cases, and active contact tracing remain a priority to identify and control new transmission chains.However, for 10 of the 35 new cases reported (9 in Guinea and 1 in Sierra Leone), it was not possible to determine the source of infection, meaning that transmission chains are still escaping detection in several areas.