Out of the headlines - Ebola

Ebola kills Sierra Leone's most senior doctor

Victor Willoughby is the 11th of the country’s 120 doctors to die during the outbreak

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"A healthcare worker dons protective gear before entering an Ebola treatment centre in Freetown Photograph: Michael Duff/AP

the Guardian,

19 December, 2014


Sierra Leone’s most senior doctor has died of Ebola just hours after an experimental drug to treat him arrived at Freetown’s airport.

Dr Victor Willoughby is the 11th of the country’s 120 doctors to die from the virus, during an outbreak that has killed almost 7,000 people. 

The country’s chief medical officer said the death of Willoughby, who tested positive for Ebola on Saturday, was a major loss for Sierra Leone.

“Dr Victor Willoughby was a mentor to us physicians and a big loss to the medical profession,” said Brima Kargbo. “He has always been available to help junior colleagues.”

The 67-year-old died on Thursday morning, just hours after the experimental treatment arrived in the country for him. The arrival of ZMAb, developed in Canada, had raised hopes for Willoughby’s survival. But he died before a dose could be administered, said Kargbo.

ZMAb is related to ZMapp, another experimental drug that has been used to treat some Ebola patients. Their efficacy in treating Ebola has not yet been proven.

ZMapp was used to help treat Dr Kent Brantly, the American doctor infected with Ebola in Liberia a few months ago. ZMab was successfully used on Dr Felix Baez, the Cuban doctor recently evacuated out of Sierra Leone after he was infected with Ebola.

The arrival of ZMAb, developed in Canada, had raised hopes for Willoughby’s survival. But he died before a dose could be administered, said Kargbo.

The drug was sent from Canada after a request from Sierra Leone’s minister of health.

Earlier this year the country’s only virologist, Dr Shek Humar Khan, was killed by the virus.

From a month ago -