721 results on '"Ebola hemorrhagic fever"'
Search Results
2. Ebola virus – epidemiology, diagnosis, and control: threat to humans, lessons learnt, and preparedness plans – an update on its 40 year's journey
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Raj Kumar Singh, Kuldeep Dhama, Yashpal Singh Malik, Muthannan Andavar Ramakrishnan, Kumaragurubaran Karthik, Rekha Khandia, Ruchi Tiwari, Ashok Munjal, Mani Saminathan, Swati Sachan, Perumal Arumugam Desingu, Jobin Jose Kattoor, Hafiz M.N. Iqbal, and Sunil Kumar Joshi
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Ebola virus ,Ebola hemorrhagic fever ,public health ,transmission ,carriers ,epidemiology ,diagnosis ,vaccines ,treatment ,control ,preparedness ,Veterinary medicine ,SF600-1100 - Abstract
Ebola virus (EBOV) is an extremely contagious pathogen and causes lethal hemorrhagic fever disease in man and animals. The recently occurred Ebola virus disease (EVD) outbreaks in the West African countries have categorized it as an international health concern. For the virus maintenance and transmission, the non-human primates and reservoir hosts like fruit bats have played a vital role. For curbing the disease timely, we need effective therapeutics/prophylactics, however, in the absence of any approved vaccine, timely diagnosis and monitoring of EBOV remains of utmost importance. The technologically advanced vaccines like a viral-vectored vaccine, DNA vaccine and virus-like particles are underway for testing against EBOV. In the absence of any effective control measure, the adaptation of high standards of biosecurity measures, strict sanitary and hygienic practices, strengthening of surveillance and monitoring systems, imposing appropriate quarantine checks and vigilance on trade, transport, and movement of visitors from EVD endemic countries remains the answer of choice for tackling the EBOV spread. Herein, we converse with the current scenario of EBOV giving due emphasis on animal and veterinary perspectives along with advances in diagnosis and control strategies to be adopted, lessons learned from the recent outbreaks and the global preparedness plans. To retrieve the evolutionary information, we have analyzed a total of 56 genome sequences of various EBOV species submitted between 1976 and 2016 in public databases.
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- 2017
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3. Exploring the contribution of exposure heterogeneity to the cessation of the 2014 Ebola epidemic.
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Uekermann, Florian, Simonsen, Lone, and Sneppen, Kim
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EBOLA virus disease , *EPIDEMICS , *PUBLIC health , *MULTIAGENT systems , *COMPUTER simulation - Abstract
The unexpected early cessation of the recent West Africa Ebola outbreak demonstrated shortcomings of popular forecasting approaches and has not been fully understood yet. A popular hypothesis is that public health interventions mitigated the spread, such as ETUs and safe burials. We investigate whether risk heterogeneity within the population could serve as an alternative explanation. We introduce a model for spread in heterogeneous host population that is particularly well suited for early predictions due to its simplicity and ease of application. Furthermore, we explore the conditions under which the observed epidemic trajectory can be explained without taking into account the effect of public health interventions. While the obtained fits closely match the total case count time series, closer inspection of sub-population results made us conclude that risk heterogeneity is unlikely to fully explain the early cessation of Ebola; other factors such as behavioral changes and other interventions likely played a major role. More accurate predictions in a future scenario require models that allow for early sub-exponential growth, as well as access to additional data on patient occupation (risk level) and location, to allow identify local phenomena that influence spreading behavior. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2019
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4. Molecular detection of dengue virus in patients suspected of Ebola virus disease in Ghana.
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Bonney, Joseph Humphrey Kofi, Hayashi, Takaya, Dadzie, Samuel, Agbosu, Esinam, Pratt, Deborah, Nyarko, Stephen, Asiedu-Bekoe, Franklin, Ido, Eiji, Sarkodie, Badu, Ohta, Nobuo, and Yamaoka, Shoji
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DENGUE viruses , *EBOLA virus disease , *PUBLIC health , *SEROTYPES - Abstract
Dengue fever is known to be one of the most common arthropod-borne viral infectious diseases of public health importance. The disease is now endemic in more than 100 countries in Africa, the Americas, the Eastern Mediterranean, Southeast Asia and the Western Pacific with an estimated two fifths of the world's population being at risk. The notable endemic viral hemorrhagic fevers (VHFs) found in West Africa, including yellow fever, Lassa fever, Rift Valley fever, dengue fever and until recently Ebola have been responsible for most outbreaks with fatal consequences. These VHFs usually produce unclear acute febrile illness, especially in the acute phase of infection. In this study we detected the presence of 2 different serotypes (DENV-2 and DENV-3) of Dengue virus in 4 sera of 150 patients clinically suspected of Ebola virus disease during the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) outbreak in West Africa with the use of serological and molecular test assays. Sequence data was successfully generated for DENV-3 and phylogenetic analysis of the envelope gene showed that the DENV-3 sequences had close homology with DENV-3 sequences from Senegal and India. This study documents molecular evidence of an indigenous Dengue fever viral infection in Ghana and therefore necessitates the need to have an efficient surveillance system to rapidly detect and control the dissemination of the different serotypes in the population which has the potential to cause outbreaks of dengue hemorrhagic fevers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2018
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5. Stigma and Ebola survivorship in Liberia: Results from a longitudinal cohort study.
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Overholt, Luc, Wohl, David Alain, IIFischer, William A., Westreich, Daniel, Tozay, Sam, Reeves, Edwina, Pewu, Korto, Adjasso, David, Hoover, David, Merenbloom, Carson, Johnson, Harrietta, Williams, Gerald, Conneh, Tonia, Diggs, Joseph, Buller, Alexandria, McMillian, Darrius, Hawks, Darrel, Dube, Karine, and Brown, Jerry
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EBOLA virus disease , *SOCIAL stigma , *SELF-evaluation , *AGE factors in disease , *PUBLIC health - Abstract
Background: Survivors of the 2014–2016 West Africa Ebola epidemic have been reported to suffer high levels of stigmatization after return to their communities. We sought to characterize the stigma encountered by a cohort of Ebola survivors in Liberia over time. Methods: Ebola-related stigma was assessed from June 2015 to August 2017 in 299 adolescent and adult Liberian Ebola Survivor Cohort participants at three month intervals using adapted HIV stigma scales scored from 0 to 10 according to the proportion of answers indicating stigmatization. Findings: The median time from Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) to study entry was 393 days (IQR 336–492). Participants (43% female) had a median age of 31 (IQR 25–40) years. Mean self-reported stigma levels were greater at baseline (6.28 ± 0.15 [IQR: 4.38–8.75]) compared to the first post-baseline visit (0.60 ± 0.10 [IQR: 0–0]; p<0.0001). During follow-up, stigma levels were stable. Baseline stigma significantly increased during enrollment and following clusters of Ebola re-emergence in Liberia. Survivors encountered primarily enacted and perceived external stigma rather than internalized stigma. Conclusions: Ebola-related stigma was prevalent among Liberian survivors more than a year after EVD recovery. Self-reported stigma was greater in the period before cohort enrollment; however, some degree of stigmatization persisted years after EVD. Transient rises in stigma were observed following episodic Ebola re-emergence of EVD in Liberia. During future EVD outbreaks, enhanced public health interventions designed to prevent and mitigate Ebola-related stigma that is enacted and external should be implemented to support survivor recovery and community re-integration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2018
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6. ‘When Ebola enters a home, a family, a community’: A qualitative study of population perspectives on Ebola control measures in rural and urban areas of Sierra Leone.
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Gray, Nell, Stringer, Beverley, Bark, Gina, Heller Perache, Andre, Jephcott, Freya, Broeder, Rob, Kremer, Ronald, Jimissa, Augustine S., and Samba, Thomas T.
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EBOLA viral disease transmission , *EPIDEMICS , *PREVENTIVE medicine , *METROPOLITAN areas , *RURAL population , *PUBLIC health - Abstract
Background: During the West Africa Ebola outbreak, cultural practices have been described as hindering response efforts. The acceptance of control measures improved during the outbreak, but little is known about how and why this occurred. We conducted a qualitative study in two administrative districts of Sierra Leone to understand Ebola survivor, community, and health worker perspectives on Ebola control measures. We aimed to gain an understanding of community interactions with the Ebola response to inform future intervention strategies. Methodology/Principal findings: Participants (25 survivors, 24 community members, and 16 health workers) were recruited purposively. A flexible participatory method gathered data through field notes and in-depth, topic-led interviews. These were analysed thematically with NVivo10© by open coding, constant comparison, and the principles of grounded theory. The primary theme, ‘when Ebola is real’, centred on denial, knowledge, and acceptance. Ebola was denied until it was experienced or observed first-hand and thus health promotion was more effective if undertaken by those directly exposed to Ebola rather than by mass media communication. Factors that enabled acceptance and engagement with control measures included: access to good, proximate care and prevention activities; seeing that people can survive infection; and the co-option of trusted or influential local leadership, with bylaws implemented by community leaders being strongly respected. All participants noted that dignity, respect, and compassion were key components of effective control measures. Conclusions: Successful control approaches need strong community leadership, with the aim of achieving collective understanding between communities and health workers. Health promotion for communities at risk is best conducted through people who have had close interaction with or who have survived Ebola as opposed to reliance on broad mass communication strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2018
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7. An evaluation of emergency guidelines issued by the World Health Organization in response to four infectious disease outbreaks.
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Norris, Susan L., Sawin, Veronica Ivey, Ferri, Mauricio, Raques Sastre, Laura, and Porgo, Teegwendé V.
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PUBLIC health , *EPIDEMIOLOGY , *H1N1 influenza , *EBOLA virus disease , *EMERGENCY management - Abstract
Background: The production of high-quality guidelines in response to public health emergencies poses challenges for the World Health Organization (WHO). The urgent need for guidance and the paucity of structured scientific data on emerging diseases hinder the formulation of evidence-informed recommendations using standard methods and procedures. Objectives: In the context of the response to recent public health emergencies, this project aimed to describe the information products produced by WHO and assess the quality and trustworthiness of a subset of these products classified as guidelines. Methods: We selected four recent infectious disease emergencies: outbreaks of avian influenza A—H1N1 virus (2009) and H7N9 virus (2013), Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) (2013), and Ebola virus disease (EVD) (2014 to 2016). We analyzed the development and publication processes and evaluated the quality of emergency guidelines using AGREE-II. Results: We included 175 information products of which 87 were guidelines. These products demonstrated variable adherence to WHO publication requirements including the listing of external contributors, management of declarations of interest, and entry into WHO’s public database of publications. For guidelines, the methods for development were incompletely reported; WHO’s quality assurance process was rarely used; systematic or other evidence reviews were infrequently referenced; external peer review was not performed; and they scored poorly with AGREE II, particularly for rigour of development and editorial independence. Conclusions: Our study suggests that WHO guidelines produced in the context of a public health emergency can be improved upon, helping to assure the trustworthiness and utility of WHO information products in future emergencies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2018
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8. Infection prevention and control training and capacity building during the Ebola epidemic in Guinea.
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Soeters, Heidi M., Koivogui, Lamine, de Beer, Lindsey, Johnson, Candice Y., Diaby, Dianka, Ouedraogo, Abdoulaye, Touré, Fatoumata, Bangoura, Fodé Ousmane, Chang, Michelle A., Chea, Nora, Dotson, Ellen M., Finlay, Alyssa, Fitter, David, Hamel, Mary J., Hazim, Carmen, Larzelere, Maribeth, Park, Benjamin J., Rowe, Alexander K., Thompson-Paul, Angela M., and Twyman, Anthony
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EBOLA virus disease , *PUBLIC health , *EPIDEMIOLOGICAL research , *MEDICAL personnel training , *EMERGENCY medical services - Abstract
Background: During the 2014–2016 Ebola epidemic in West Africa, a key epidemiological feature was disease transmission within healthcare facilities, indicating a need for infection prevention and control (IPC) training and support. Methods: IPC training was provided to frontline healthcare workers (HCW) in healthcare facilities that were not Ebola treatment units, as well as to IPC trainers and IPC supervisors placed in healthcare facilities. Trainings included both didactic and hands-on components, and were assessed using pre-tests, post-tests and practical evaluations. We calculated median percent increase in knowledge. Results: From October–December 2014, 20 IPC courses trained 1,625 Guineans: 1,521 HCW, 55 IPC trainers, and 49 IPC supervisors. Median test scores increased 40% (interquartile range [IQR]: 19–86%) among HCW, 15% (IQR: 8–33%) among IPC trainers, and 21% (IQR: 15–30%) among IPC supervisors (all P<0.0001) to post-test scores of 83%, 93%, and 93%, respectively. Conclusions: IPC training resulted in clear improvements in knowledge and was feasible in a public health emergency setting. This method of IPC training addressed a high demand among HCW. Valuable lessons were learned to facilitate expansion of IPC training to other prefectures; this model may be considered when responding to other large outbreaks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2018
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9. Establishing Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) diagnostics using GeneXpert technology at a mobile laboratory in Liberia: Impact on outbreak response, case management and laboratory systems strengthening.
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Raftery, Philomena, Condell, Orla, Wasunna, Christine, Kpaka, Jonathan, Zwizwai, Ruth, Nuha, Mahmood, Fallah, Mosoka, Freeman, Maxwell, Harris, Victoria, Miller, Mark, Baller, April, Massaquoi, Moses, Katawera, Victoria, Saindon, John, Bemah, Philip, Hamblion, Esther, Castle, Evelyn, Williams, Desmond, Gasasira, Alex, and Nyenswah, Tolbert
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EBOLA virus disease , *DISEASE outbreaks , *PUBLIC health , *FIRE assay - Abstract
The article covers the implementation of the Xpert Ebola Assay, a rapid molecular diagnostic test using the GeneXpert platform, in Liberia in response to the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) outbreak in West Africa between 2014 and 2016. It discusses the effectiveness of coordination between surveillance and laboratory teams before noting the costs and methodology associated with the GeneXpert platform.
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- 2018
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10. Briefing sheet
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Economic conditions -- Safety and security measures -- Forecasts and trends ,Coronaviruses -- Safety and security measures -- Forecasts and trends ,Economic forecasting -- Safety and security measures -- Forecasts and trends ,World health -- Safety and security measures -- Forecasts and trends ,Ebola hemorrhagic fever ,Coronavirus infections ,Militias ,Public health ,Public health movements ,Market trend/market analysis ,Regional focus/area studies - Abstract
Political and economic outlook The political situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) will normalise gradually in 2020-21 under the president, Félix Tshisekedi. Security risks in the east are [...]
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- 2020
11. Outlook for 2020-21: Policy trends
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Unemployment -- Congo (Kinshasa) ,Coronaviruses ,Economic policy ,Ebola hemorrhagic fever ,Coronavirus infections ,Public health ,Public health movements ,Regional focus/area studies - Abstract
The official rhetoric concerning macroeconomic policy will focus on improving living standards, boosting public investment and strengthening governance in the natural resources sector. Mr Tshisekedi has pledged almost US$86bn over [...]
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- 2020
12. Soligenix, UH Manoa expand ongoing collaboration
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Vaccines ,Marburg virus disease ,Ebola virus ,Virus diseases ,Biological products industry ,Medical schools ,Ebola hemorrhagic fever ,Medical research ,Public health ,Diseases ,Pharmacology ,Microbiology ,Public health movements ,Business ,News, opinion and commentary - Abstract
Soligenix announced that its ongoing collaboration with the University of Hawaii at Mnoa is being expanded to assess potential coronavirus vaccines. Under the Company's Public Health Solutions business segment, ongoing [...]
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- 2020
13. WHO prequalifies Ebola vaccine, paving the way for its use in high-risk countries
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Vaccines ,Ebola hemorrhagic fever ,Safety regulations ,Health ,Public health ,Pharmaceuticals and cosmetics industries ,World Health Organization - Abstract
The World Health Organization (WHO) prequalified an Ebola vaccine for the first time, a critical step that will help speed up its licensing, access and roll-out in countries most at [...]
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- 2019
14. Briefing sheet
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Economic conditions -- Safety and security measures -- Forecasts and trends ,Public finance -- Safety and security measures -- Forecasts and trends ,World health -- Safety and security measures -- Forecasts and trends ,Ebola hemorrhagic fever ,Paramilitary forces ,Violence ,Militias ,Economic forecasting ,Public health ,Market trend/market analysis ,Regional focus/area studies - Abstract
Political and economic outlook The political situation will gradually normalise in 2020-21 following the belated formation in 2019 of a new government under the president, Félix Tshisekedi. However, security risks [...]
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- 2019
15. Implementation of a study to examine the persistence of Ebola virus in the body fluids of Ebola virus disease survivors in Sierra Leone: Methodology and lessons learned.
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Deen, Gibrilla Fadlu, Mcdonald, Suzanna L. R., Marrinan, Jaclyn E., Sesay, Foday R., Ervin, Elizabeth, Thorson, Anna E., Xu, Wenbo, Ströher, Ute, Ongpin, Patricia, Abad, Neetu, Ariyarajah, Archchun, Malik, Tasneem, Liu, Hongtu, Ross, Christine, Durski, Kara N., Gaillard, Philippe, Morgan, Oliver, Formenty, Pierre, Knust, Barbara, and Broutet, Nathalie
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EBOLA virus disease , *SEXUALLY transmitted disease risk factors , *BODY fluids , *PUBLIC health , *DIAGNOSIS , *PATIENTS - Abstract
Background: The 2013–2016 West African Ebola virus disease epidemic was unprecedented in terms of the number of cases and survivors. Prior to this epidemic there was limited data available on the persistence of Ebola virus in survivors’ body fluids and the potential risk of transmission, including sexual transmission. Methodology/Principal findings: Given the urgent need to determine the persistence of Ebola virus in survivors’ body fluids, an observational cohort study was designed and implemented during the epidemic response operation in Sierra Leone. This publication describes study implementation methodology and the key lessons learned. Challenges encountered during implementation included unforeseen duration of follow-up, complexity of interpreting and communicating laboratory results to survivors, and the urgency of translating research findings into public health practice. Strong community engagement helped rapidly implement the study during the epidemic. The study was conducted in two phases. The first phase was initiated within five months of initial protocol discussions and assessed persistence of Ebola virus in semen of 100 adult men. The second phase assessed the persistence of virus in multiple body fluids (semen or vaginal fluid, menstrual blood, breast milk, and urine, rectal fluid, sweat, saliva, tears), of 120 men and 120 women. Conclusion/Significance: Data from this study informed national and global guidelines in real time and demonstrated the need to implement semen testing programs among Ebola virus disease survivors. The lessons learned and study tools developed accelerated the implementation of such programs in Ebola virus disease affected countries, and also informed studies examining persistence of Zika virus. Research is a vital component of the public health response to an epidemic of a poorly characterized disease. Adequate resources should be rapidly made available to answer critical research questions, in order to better inform response efforts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2017
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16. Development of a set of community-informed Ebola messages for Sierra Leone.
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Kinsman, John, de Bruijne, Kars, Jalloh, Alpha M., Harris, Muriel, Abdullah, Hussainatu, Boye-Thompson, Titus, Sankoh, Osman, Jalloh, Abdul K., and Jalloh-Vos, Heidi
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EBOLA virus , *COMMUNICATION , *PUBLIC health , *QUALITATIVE research ,SIERRA Leonean social conditions - Abstract
The West African Ebola epidemic of 2013–2016 was by far the largest outbreak of the disease on record. Sierra Leone suffered nearly half of the 28,646 reported cases. This paper presents a set of culturally contextualized Ebola messages that are based on the findings of qualitative interviews and focus group discussions conducted in 'hotspot' areas of rural Bombali District and urban Freetown in Sierra Leone, between January and March 2015. An iterative approach was taken in the message development process, whereby (i) data from formative research was subjected to thematic analysis to identify areas of community concern about Ebola and the national response; (ii) draft messages to address these concerns were produced; (iii) the messages were field tested; (iv) the messages were refined; and (v) a final set of messages on 14 topics was disseminated to relevant national and international stakeholders. Each message included details of its rationale, audience, dissemination channels, messengers, and associated operational issues that need to be taken into account. While developing the 14 messages, a set of recommendations emerged that could be adopted in future public health emergencies. These included the importance of embedding systematic, iterative qualitative research fully into the message development process; communication of the subsequent messages through a two-way dialogue with communities, using trusted messengers, and not only through a one-way, top-down communication process; provision of good, parallel operational services; and engagement with senior policy makers and managers as well as people in key operational positions to ensure national ownership of the messages, and to maximize the chance of their being utilised. The methodological approach that we used to develop our messages along with our suggested recommendations constitute a set of tools that could be incorporated into international and national public health emergency preparedness and response plans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2017
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17. Estimating the number of secondary Ebola cases resulting from an unsafe burial and risk factors for transmission during the West Africa Ebola epidemic.
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Tiffany, Amanda, Dalziel, Benjamin D., Kagume Njenge, Hilary, Johnson, Ginger, Nugba Ballah, Roselyn, James, Daniel, Wone, Abdoulaye, Bedford, Juliet, and McClelland, Amanda
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EBOLA virus disease , *NEGATIVE-strand RNA viruses , *FILOVIRIDAE , *PUBLIC health , *FUNERALS - Abstract
Background: Safely burying Ebola infected individuals is acknowledged to be important for controlling Ebola epidemics and was a major component of the 2013–2016 West Africa Ebola response. Yet, in order to understand the impact of safe burial programs it is necessary to elucidate the role of unsafe burials in sustaining chains of Ebola transmission and how the risk posed by activities surrounding unsafe burials, including care provided at home prior to death, vary with human behavior and geography. Methodology/Principal findings: Interviews with next of kin and community members were carried out for unsafe burials in Sierra Leone, Liberia and Guinea, in six districts where the Red Cross was responsible for safe and dignified burials (SDB). Districts were randomly selected from a district-specific sampling frame comprised of villages and neighborhoods that had experienced cases of Ebola. An average of 2.58 secondary cases were potentially generated per unsafe burial and varied by district (range: 0–20). Contact before and after death was reported for 142 (46%) contacts. Caregivers of a primary case were 2.63 to 5.92 times more likely to become EVD infected compared to those with post-mortem contact only. Using these estimates, the Red Cross SDB program potentially averted between 1,411 and 10,452 secondary EVD cases, reducing the epidemic by 4.9% to 36.5%. Conclusions/Significance: SDB is a fundamental control measure that limits community transmission of Ebola; however, for those individuals having contact before and after death, it was impossible to ascertain the exposure that caused their infection. The number of infections prevented through SDB is significant, yet greater impact would be achieved by early hospitalization of the primary case during acute illness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2017
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18. Ebola exposure, illness experience, and Ebola antibody prevalence in international responders to the West African Ebola epidemic 2014-2016: A cross-sectional study.
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Houlihan, Catherine F., McGowan, Catherine R., Dicks, Steve, Baguelin, Marc, Moore, David A. J., Mabey, David, Roberts, Chrissy h., Kumar, Alex, Samuel, Dhan, Tedder, Richard, and Glynn, Judith R.
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DISEASE prevalence , *EBOLA virus disease , *EPIDEMICS , *HEALTH of medical personnel , *PUBLIC health - Abstract
Background: Healthcare and other front-line workers are at particular risk of infection with Ebola virus (EBOV). Despite the large-scale deployment of international responders, few cases of Ebola virus disease have been diagnosed in this group. Since asymptomatic or pauci-symptomatic infection has been described, it is plausible that infections have occurred in healthcare workers but have escaped being diagnosed. We aimed to assess the prevalence of asymptomatic or pauci-symptomatic infection, and of exposure events, among returned responders to the West African Ebola epidemic 2014-2016.Methods and Findings: We used snowball sampling to identify responders who had returned to the UK or Ireland, and used an online consent and questionnaire to determine their exposure to EBOV and their experience of illness. Oral fluid collection devices were sent and returned by post, and samples were tested using an EBOV IgG capture assay that detects IgG to Ebola glycoprotein. Blood was collected from returnees with reactive samples for further testing. Unexposed UK controls were also recruited. In all, 300 individuals consented, of whom 268 (89.3%) returned an oral fluid sample (OFS). The majority had worked in Sierra Leone in clinical, laboratory, research, and other roles. Fifty-three UK controls consented and provided samples using the same method. Of the returnees, 47 (17.5%) reported that they had had a possible EBOV exposure. Based on their free-text descriptions, using a published risk assessment method, we classified 43 (16%) as having had incidents with risk of Ebola transmission, including five intermediate-risk and one high-risk exposure. Of the returnees, 57 (21%) reported a febrile or diarrhoeal illness in West Africa or within 1 mo of return, of whom 40 (70%) were not tested at the time for EBOV infection. Of the 268 OFSs, 266 were unreactive. Two returnees, who did not experience an illness in West Africa or on return, had OFSs that were reactive on the EBOV IgG capture assay, with similar results on plasma. One individual had no further positive test results; the other had a positive result on a double-antigen bridging assay but not on a competitive assay or on an indirect EBOV IgG ELISA. All 53 controls had non-reactive OFSs. While the participants were not a random sample of returnees, the number participating was high.Conclusions: This is the first study, to our knowledge, of the prevalence of EBOV infection in international responders. More than 99% had clear negative results. Sera from two individuals had discordant results on the different assays; both were negative on the competitive assay, suggesting that prior infection was unlikely. The finding that a significant proportion experienced "near miss" exposure events, and that most of those who experienced symptoms did not get tested for EBOV at the time, suggests a need to review and standardise protocols for the management of possible exposure to EBOV, and for the management of illness, across organisations that deploy staff to outbreaks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]- Published
- 2017
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19. National Survey Indicates that Individual Vaccination Decisions Respond Positively to Community Vaccination Rates.
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Romley, John, Goutam, Prodyumna, and Sood, Neeraj
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VACCINATION , *PUBLIC health , *HEALTH surveys , *HEALTH behavior , *MEDICAL decision making , *HEALTH promotion - Abstract
Some models of vaccination behavior imply that an individual’s willingness to vaccinate could be negatively correlated with the vaccination rate in her community. The rationale is that a higher community vaccination rate reduces the risk of contracting the vaccine-preventable disease and thus reduces the individual’s incentive to vaccinate. At the same time, as for many health-related behaviors, individuals may want to conform to the vaccination behavior of peers, counteracting a reduced incentive to vaccinate due to herd immunity. Currently there is limited empirical evidence on how individual vaccination decisions respond to the vaccination decisions of peers. In the fall of 2014, we used a rapid survey technology to ask a large sample of U.S. adults about their willingness to use a vaccine for Ebola. Respondents expressed a greater inclination to use the vaccine in a hypothetical scenario with a high community vaccination rate. In particular, an increase in the community vaccination rate from 10% to 90% had the same impact on reported utilization as a nearly 50% reduction in out-of-pocket cost. These findings are consistent with a tendency to conform with vaccination among peers, and suggest that policies promoting vaccination could be more effective than has been recognized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2016
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20. Case Definitions Used During the First 6 Months of the 10th Ebola Virus Disease Outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo--Four Neighboring Countries, August 2018-February 2019
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Medley, Alexandra M., Mavila, Oscar, Makumbi, Issa, Nizeyemana, Felicien, Umutoni, Angela, Balisanga, Helene, Manoah, Yona Kenyi, Geissler, Aimee, Bunga, Sudhir, MacDonald, Gene, Homsy, Jaco, Ojwang, Joseph, Ewetola, Raimi, Raghunathan, Pratima L., MacGurn, Amanda, Singler, Kimberly, Ward, Sarah, Roohi, Shahrokh, Brown, Vance, Shoemaker, Trevor, Lako, Richard, Kabeja, Adeline, Muruta, Allan, Lubula, Leopold, and Merrill, Rebecca
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Ebola hemorrhagic fever ,Marburg virus disease ,Ebola virus ,Public health ,Virus diseases ,Time ,Health ,Diseases ,Health ,World Health Organization - Abstract
On August 1, 2018, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) declared its 10th Ebola virus disease (Ebola) outbreak in an area with a high volume of cross-border population movement [...]
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- 2020
21. Population Movement Patterns Among the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, and Uganda During an Outbreak of Ebola Virus Disease: Results from Community Engagement in Two Districts--Uganda, March 2019
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Nakiire, Lydia, Mwanja, Herman, Pillai, Satish K., Gasanani, Jonan, Ntungire, Dickson, Nsabiyumva, Stephen, Mafigiri, Richardson, Muneza, Nick, Ward, Sarah E., Daffe, Zeinabou, Ahabwe, Peter Babigumira, Kyazze, Simon, Ojwang, Joseph, Homsy, Jaco, McIntyre, Elvira, Lamorde, Mohammed, Walwema, Richard, Makumbi, Issa, Muruta, Allan, and Merrill, Rebecca D.
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Ebola hemorrhagic fever ,Ebola virus ,Geospatial data ,Public health ,Communicable diseases ,Diseases ,Public health movements ,Health ,World Health Organization - Abstract
Tailoring communicable disease preparedness and response strategies to unique population movement patterns between an outbreak area and neighboring countries can help limit the international spread of disease. Global recognition of [...]
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- 2020
22. Diagnostics in Ebola Virus Disease in Resource-Rich and Resource-Limited Settings.
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Shorten, Robert J, Brown, Colin S, Jacobs, Michael, Rattenbury, Simon, Simpson, Andrew J., and Mepham, Stephen
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EBOLA virus disease , *EBOLA virus disease prevention , *PANDEMICS , *DISEASE progression , *PUBLIC health , *DIAGNOSIS - Abstract
The Ebola virus disease (EVD) outbreak in West Africa was unprecedented in scale and location. Limited access to both diagnostic and supportive pathology assays in both resource-rich and resource-limited settings had a detrimental effect on the identification and isolation of cases as well as individual patient management. Limited access to such assays in resource-rich settings resulted in delays in differentiating EVD from other illnesses in returning travellers, in turn utilising valuable resources until a diagnosis could be made. This had a much greater impact in West Africa, where it contributed to the initial failure to contain the outbreak. This review explores diagnostic assays of use in EVD in both resource-rich and resource-limited settings, including their respective limitations, and some novel assays and approaches that may be of use in future outbreaks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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- 2016
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23. Prioritization of Zoonotic Diseases in Kenya, 2015.
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Munyua, Peninah, Bitek, Austine, Osoro, Eric, Pieracci, Emily G., Muema, Josephat, Mwatondo, Athman, Kungu, Mathew, Nanyingi, Mark, Gharpure, Radhika, Njenga, Kariuki, and Thumbi, Samuel M.
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ZOONOSES , *PUBLIC health , *MEDICAL geography , *PHYSIOLOGICAL adaptation , *SOCIOECONOMICS , *PREVENTION - Abstract
Introduction: Zoonotic diseases have varying public health burden and socio-economic impact across time and geographical settings making their prioritization for prevention and control important at the national level. We conducted systematic prioritization of zoonotic diseases and developed a ranked list of these diseases that would guide allocation of resources to enhance their surveillance, prevention, and control. Methods: A group of 36 medical, veterinary, and wildlife experts in zoonoses from government, research institutions and universities in Kenya prioritized 36 diseases using a semi-quantitative One Health Zoonotic Disease Prioritization tool developed by Centers for Disease Control and Prevention with slight adaptations. The tool comprises five steps: listing of zoonotic diseases to be prioritized, development of ranking criteria, weighting criteria by pairwise comparison through analytical hierarchical process, scoring each zoonotic disease based on the criteria, and aggregation of scores. Results: In order of importance, the participants identified severity of illness in humans, epidemic/pandemic potential in humans, socio-economic burden, prevalence/incidence and availability of interventions (weighted scores assigned to each criteria were 0.23, 0.22, 0.21, 0.17 and 0.17 respectively), as the criteria to define the relative importance of the diseases. The top five priority diseases in descending order of ranking were anthrax, trypanosomiasis, rabies, brucellosis and Rift Valley fever. Conclusion: Although less prominently mentioned, neglected zoonotic diseases ranked highly compared to those with epidemic potential suggesting these endemic diseases cause substantial public health burden. The list of priority zoonotic disease is crucial for the targeted allocation of resources and informing disease prevention and control programs for zoonoses in Kenya. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2016
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
24. Digital Participatory Surveillance and the Zika Crisis: Opportunities and Caveats.
- Author
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Pagliari, Claudia and Vijaykumar, Santosh
- Subjects
- *
ZIKA virus infections , *ELECTRONIC surveillance , *CONTEXTUAL analysis , *PUBLIC health , *PANDEMICS , *PREVENTION , *MANAGEMENT - Abstract
The author discusses the potential of Digital Participatory Surveillance to support the management of global disease outbreak of Zika virus. Also discussed the status of evidence-base and contextual factors that influence data quality and user engagement. It also suggests the priorities for research, development and practice to help translate the theoretical benefits of these methods for improvements in public health and monitoring of the outbreak.
- Published
- 2016
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
25. Presence and Persistence of Ebola or Marburg Virus in Patients and Survivors: A Rapid Systematic Review.
- Author
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Brainard, Julii, Pond, Katherine, Hooper, Lee, Edmunds, Kelly, and Hunter, Paul
- Subjects
- *
EBOLA virus disease , *FILOVIRIDAE , *MEDICAL screening , *INFECTIOUS disease transmission , *PUBLIC health , *PATIENTS - Abstract
Background: The 2013–15 Ebola outbreak was unprecedented due to sustained transmission within urban environments and thousands of survivors. In 2014 the World Health Organization stated that there was insufficient evidence to give definitive guidance about which body fluids are infectious and when they pose a risk to humans. We report a rapid systematic review of published evidence on the presence of filoviruses in body fluids of infected people and survivors. Methods: Scientific articles were screened for information about filovirus in human body fluids. The aim was to find primary data that suggested high likelihood of actively infectious filovirus in human body fluids (viral RNA). Eligible infections were from Marburg virus (MARV or RAVV) and Zaire, Sudan, Taï Forest and Bundibugyo species of Ebola. Cause of infection had to be laboratory confirmed (in practice either tissue culture or RT-PCR tests), or evidenced by compatible clinical history with subsequent positivity for filovirus antibodies or inflammatory factors. Data were extracted and summarized narratively. Results: 6831 unique articles were found, and after screening, 33 studies were eligible. For most body fluid types there were insufficient patients to draw strong conclusions, and prevalence of positivity was highly variable. Body fluids taken >16 days after onset were usually negative. In the six studies that used both assay methods RT-PCR tests for filovirus RNA gave positive results about 4 times more often than tissue culture. Conclusions: Filovirus was reported in most types of body fluid, but not in every sample from every otherwise confirmed patient. Apart from semen, most non-blood, RT-PCR positive samples are likely to be culture negative and so possibly of low infectious risk. Nevertheless, it is not apparent how relatively infectious many body fluids are during or after illness, even when culture-positive, not least because most test results come from more severe cases. Contact with blood and blood-stained body fluids remains the major risk for disease transmission because of the known high viral loads in blood. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2016
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
26. How Do You Wash Your Hands To Fend Off Coronavirus If Water Is Scarce?
- Subjects
Africa -- Health aspects -- Environmental aspects ,Epidemics -- Prevention ,Handwashing -- Health aspects -- Environmental aspects ,COVID-19 -- Prevention ,Water supply -- Health aspects -- Environmental aspects -- Africa ,Public radio ,Coronaviruses ,Ebola hemorrhagic fever ,Coronavirus infections ,Water ,Power (Philosophy) ,Cities and towns ,Public health officials ,Public health ,Public health movements ,General interest - Abstract
To listen to this broadcast, click here: http://www.npr.org/templates/transcript/transcript.php?storyId=819151076 BYLINE: MALAKA GHARIB HOST: MICHEL MARTIN MICHEL MARTIN: Africa is home to some of the most densely crowded cities in the world, [...]
- Published
- 2020
27. Congo's Ebola outbreak remains a global emergency, WHO says
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Ebola hemorrhagic fever ,Public health ,Public health movements ,General interest ,News, opinion and commentary ,World Health Organization - Abstract
Byline: CBC News The World Health Organization warned against taking 'our foot off the accelerator' in responding to the Ebola outbreak in Congo while people focus on another outbreak, coronavirus. [...]
- Published
- 2020
28. Health seeking behavior after the 2013-16 Ebola epidemic: Lassa fever as a metric of persistent changes in Kenema District, Sierra Leone
- Author
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Mikaela R Koch, Paul H. Wise, Foday Alhasan, Don Grant, Lansana Kanneh, Robert F. Garry, Jeffrey G. Shaffer, John S. Schieffelin, and Lianne M. Kurina
- Subjects
Male ,Questionnaires ,RNA viruses ,Viral Diseases ,viruses ,RC955-962 ,Pathology and Laboratory Medicine ,Geographical locations ,Medical Conditions ,0302 clinical medicine ,Surveys and Questionnaires ,Arctic medicine. Tropical medicine ,Epidemiology ,Health care ,Medicine and Health Sciences ,Medicine ,Public and Occupational Health ,030212 general & internal medicine ,Child ,Lassa fever ,0303 health sciences ,Data Collection ,Attendance ,Infectious Diseases ,Research Design ,Medical Microbiology ,Child, Preschool ,Population Surveillance ,Filoviruses ,Viral Pathogens ,Viruses ,Female ,Pathogens ,Public aspects of medicine ,RA1-1270 ,Behavioral and Social Aspects of Health ,Ebola Virus ,Research Article ,Neglected Tropical Diseases ,Adult ,medicine.medical_specialty ,Adolescent ,Referral ,Research and Analysis Methods ,Ebola Hemorrhagic Fever ,Microbiology ,Sierra Leone ,Sierra leone ,Young Adult ,03 medical and health sciences ,Lassa Fever ,Environmental health ,Humans ,Microbial Pathogens ,030304 developmental biology ,Viral Hemorrhagic Fevers ,Survey Research ,Biology and life sciences ,Hemorrhagic Fever Viruses ,business.industry ,Public health ,Organisms ,Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health ,Infant ,Outbreak ,Hemorrhagic Fever, Ebola ,Patient Acceptance of Health Care ,Tropical Diseases ,medicine.disease ,Health Care ,Health Care Facilities ,Africa ,People and places ,business - Abstract
Background The West African Ebola epidemic of 2013–2016 killed nearly 4,000 Sierra Leoneans and devastated health infrastructure across West Africa. Changes in health seeking behavior (HSB) during the outbreak resulted in dramatic underreporting and substantial declines in hospital presentations to public health facilities, resulting in an estimated tens of thousands of additional maternal, infant, and adult deaths per year. Sierra Leone’s Kenema District, a major Ebola hotspot, is also endemic for Lassa fever (LF), another often-fatal hemorrhagic disease. Here we assess the impact of the West African Ebola epidemic on health seeking behaviors with respect to presentations to the Kenema Government Hospital (KGH) Lassa Ward, which serves as the primary health care referral center for suspected Lassa fever cases in the Eastern Province of Sierra Leone. Methodology/Principal findings Presentation frequencies for suspected Lassa fever presenting to KGH or one of its referral centers from 2011–2019 were analyzed to consider the potential impact of the West African Ebola epidemic on presentation patterns. There was a significant decline in suspected LF cases presenting to KGH following the epidemic, and a lower percentage of subjects were admitted to the KGH Lassa Ward following the epidemic. To assess general HSB, a questionnaire was developed and administered to 200 residents from 8 villages in Kenema District. Among 194 completed interviews, 151 (78%) of respondents stated they felt hospitals were safer post-epidemic with no significant differences noted among subjects according to religious background, age, gender, or education. However, 37 (19%) subjects reported decreased attendance at hospitals since the epidemic, which suggests that trust in the healthcare system has not fully rebounded. Cost was identified as a major deterrent to seeking healthcare. Conclusions/Significance Analysis of patient demographic data suggests that fewer individuals sought care for Lassa fever and other febrile illnesses in Kenema District after the West African Ebola epidemic. Re-establishing trust in health care services will require efforts beyond rebuilding infrastructure and require concerted efforts to rebuild the trust of local residents who may be wary of seeking healthcare post epidemic., Author summary The West African Ebola epidemic of 2013–2016 killed nearly 4,000 Sierra Leoneans and devastated health infrastructure. There is limited information regarding the effects of the epidemic on health seeking behavior. Lassa fever is clinically similar to Ebola and is prevalent in Kenema District, located in the Eastern Province of Sierra Leone. There was a significant decline in the number of individuals seeking care for suspected Lassa fever following the epidemic. Responses to a questionnaire completed by 194 Sierra Leonean residents suggested that confidence in the healthcare system was not fully restored. Cost was identified as a major deterrent to seeking healthcare. Additional community sensitization is needed to convey the need, and importance, of seeking care for Lassa fever.
- Published
- 2021
29. Ebola Flares Up Amid Attacks On Health Workers In Congo
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Public radio ,Ebola hemorrhagic fever ,Workers ,Medical personnel ,Infection ,Immunotherapy ,Public health ,Vaccination ,General interest ,United Nations - Abstract
To listen to this broadcast, click here: http://www.npr.org/templates/transcript/transcript.php?storyId=790077784 BYLINE: NURITH AIZENMAN HOST: DAVID GREENE DAVID GREENE: Just a month ago, the president of Democratic Republic of Congo made a triumphant [...]
- Published
- 2019
30. WHO, UNICEF Evacuate Some Staff In Congolese City Of Beni
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Public radio ,Civilian evacuation ,Ebola hemorrhagic fever ,Medical personnel ,Violence ,Infection ,Public health ,Workers ,General interest ,World Health Organization - Abstract
To listen to this broadcast, click here: http://www.npr.org/templates/transcript/transcript.php?storyId=783069762 BYLINE: NURITH AIZENMAN HOST: MARY LOUISE KELLY MARY LOUISE KELLY: In the Democratic Republic of Congo, efforts to end an Ebola outbreak [...]
- Published
- 2019
31. If it bleeds, pay heed; The Democratic Republic of Congo
- Subjects
Congo (Kinshasa) -- Health aspects ,Presidents (Government) -- Powers and duties ,Epidemics -- Control -- Congo (Kinshasa) ,Ebola virus -- Development and progression -- Control -- Patient outcomes ,Public health administration ,Death ,Civil war ,Ebola hemorrhagic fever ,World health ,Militias ,Public health ,Business ,Economics ,Business, international - Abstract
Ebola is not the only enemy in Congo WHEN CONGOLESE blood is spilled by machete-wielding militiamen, outsiders barely notice. Was the death toll from the Democratic Republic of Congo's civil [...]
- Published
- 2019
32. GeoVax Labs offers novel Ebola vaccine gratis following WHO declaration
- Subjects
Vaccines ,Ebola hemorrhagic fever ,Public health ,Novels ,Business ,News, opinion and commentary ,World Health Organization - Abstract
GeoVax Labs responded to the World Health Organization's recent declaration of the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo as a global public health emergency. The Company is [...]
- Published
- 2019
33. Why declaring Ebola a public health emergency isn't a silver bullet
- Subjects
Ebola hemorrhagic fever ,Public health ,Environmental issues ,Regional focus/area studies - Abstract
India, July 22 -- More funding can't solve the outbreak of a deadly disease within a conflict zone The World Health Organisation (WHO) has declared the Ebola outbreak in the [...]
- Published
- 2019
34. WHO declares Ebola outbreak in Congo a global health emergency
- Subjects
Ebola hemorrhagic fever ,Influenza viruses ,Swine influenza ,Public health ,Influenza ,Environmental issues ,Regional focus/area studies ,World Health Organization - Abstract
India, July 18 -- The declaration was made after case was registered in Goma city, which shares a border with Rwanda The World Health Organization (WHO) declared Ebola outbreak in [...]
- Published
- 2019
35. WHO declares emergency for ebola outbreak in Congo, CNN reports
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Merck & Company Inc. ,Vaccines ,Ebola hemorrhagic fever ,Pharmaceutical industry ,Conferences and conventions ,Protective clothing ,Public health ,Business ,News, opinion and commentary ,World Health Organization - Abstract
The World Health Organization announced that it now views the ongoing Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo as a 'public health emergency of international concern,' according to Reuters, [...]
- Published
- 2019
36. Now, Ebola case surfaces in Uganda
- Subjects
Ebola hemorrhagic fever ,Ebola virus ,Virus diseases ,Public health ,Environmental issues ,Regional focus/area studies ,World Health Organization - Abstract
India, June 12 -- Five-year-old child who travelled from Democratic Republic of the Congo to Uganda, down with disease The first case of Ebola virus disease (EVD) has been reported [...]
- Published
- 2019
37. First Ebola case in Uganda confirmed
- Subjects
Ebola hemorrhagic fever ,Health ,Public health ,Company business planning ,Regional focus/area studies - Abstract
Event On June 11th the Ugandan Ministry of Health and the World Health Organisation (WHO) confirmed a case of Ebola in Uganda, the first outside an ongoing outbreak in the [...]
- Published
- 2019
38. First Ebola case in Uganda confirmed
- Subjects
Ebola hemorrhagic fever ,Health ,Public health ,Company business planning ,Regional focus/area studies - Abstract
Event On June 11th the Ugandan Ministry of Health and the World Health Organisation (WHO) confirmed a case of Ebola in Uganda, the first outside an ongoing outbreak in the [...]
- Published
- 2019
39. Ebola in Africa's Democratic Republic of Congo now has more than 2,000 infected
- Subjects
Ebola hemorrhagic fever ,Ebola virus ,Virus diseases ,Health ,Public health ,Environmental issues ,Regional focus/area studies ,World Health Organization - Abstract
India, June 6 -- The current outbreak of the virus, beginning late July 2018, has claimed 1,346 lives in North Kivu and Ituri provinces until May. Ebola virus disease has [...]
- Published
- 2019
40. WHO says Ebola outbreak is not yet a global health emergency
- Subjects
Vaccines ,Ebola hemorrhagic fever ,Epidemics -- Congo (Kinshasa) ,Health ,Public health ,Regional focus/area studies - Abstract
Event In mid-April an expert panel convened by the World Health Organisation (WHO) in Switzerland concluded that the current Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) was still [...]
- Published
- 2019
41. The African Vaccine Regulatory Forum (AVAREF): a platform for collaboration in a public health emergency
- Author
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Akanmori, Bartholomew and Bellah, Ahmed
- Subjects
United States. Food and Drug Administration ,Vaccines -- Product development ,Ebola hemorrhagic fever ,Public health ,Virus diseases ,Product development ,Time to market ,Health - Abstract
The Ebola virus disease outbreak in West Africa has been followed by a global multi-stakeholder response, led by WHO, to make medical products available to treat and prevent the disease. [...]
- Published
- 2015
42. Hegemonic structure of basic, clinical and patented knowledge on Ebola research: a US army reductionist initiative.
- Author
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Fajardo-Ortiz, David, Ortega-Sánchez-de-Tagle, José, and Castaño, Victor M.
- Subjects
- *
EBOLA virus disease , *PUBLIC health , *GLYCOPROTEINS , *VACCINES , *DISEASE risk factors - Abstract
Background: Ebola hemorrhagic fever (Ebola) is still a highly lethal infectious disease long affecting mainly neglected populations in sub-Saharan Africa. Moreover, this disease is now considered a potential worldwide threat. In this paper, we present an approach to understand how the basic, clinical and patent knowledge on Ebola is organized and intercommunicated and what leading factor could be shaping the evolution of the knowledge translation process for this disease. Methodology: A combination of citation network analysis; analysis of Medical heading Subject (MeSH) and Gene Ontology (GO) terms, and quantitative content analysis for patents and scientific literature, aimed to map the organization of Ebola research was carried out. Results: We found six putative research fronts (i.e. clusters of high interconnected papers). Three research fronts are basic research on Ebola virus structural proteins: glycoprotein, VP40 and VP35, respectively. There is a fourth research front of basic research papers on pathogenesis, which is the organizing hub of Ebola research. A fifth research front is pre-clinical research focused on vaccines and glycoproteins. Finally, a clinical-epidemiology research front related to the disease outbreaks was identified. The network structure of patent families shows that the dominant design is the use of Ebola virus proteins as targets of vaccines and other immunological treatments. Therefore, patents network organization resembles the organization of the scientific literature. Specifically, the knowledge on Ebola would flow from higher (clinical-epidemiology) to intermediated (cellular-tissular pathogenesis) to lower (molecular interactions) levels of organization. Conclusion: Our results suggest a strong reductionist approach for Ebola research probably influenced by the lethality of the disease. On the other hand, the ownership profile of the patent families network and the main researches relationship with the United State Army suggest a strong involvement of this military institution in Ebola research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2015
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
43. Preparing nurses to work in Ebola treatment centres in Sierra Leone.
- Author
-
Lupton, Kelly
- Subjects
- *
EBOLA virus disease prevention , *ENVIRONMENTAL exposure prevention , *NURSES , *EBOLA virus disease , *EPIDEMICS , *PROTECTIVE clothing , *MEDICAL personnel , *TRAVEL hygiene , *VOLUNTEERS , *OCCUPATIONAL hazards , *SYMPTOMS ,TREATMENT of Ebola virus diseases - Abstract
The current Ebola virus disease outbreak in West Africa has initiated the request for local and international healthcare workers, including doctors, nurses and healthcare assistants to volunteer to care for patients in Ebola treatment centres. However, there is limited literature available to prepare healthcare workers for this task. There can be reluctance for healthcare workers to volunteer because of fear of the disease. This paper reviews the literature and captures the author’s own experience of working in a treatment centre in Sierra Leone. It is hoped that this paper will inform healthcare workers considering deployment to West Africa to work in a treatment centre. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2015
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
44. Key features of Ebola hemorrhagic fever: a review.
- Author
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Sousa, Zulane Lima
- Subjects
EBOLA virus disease ,PUBLIC health ,HEMORRHAGIC fever ,MORTALITY ,INFECTIOUS disease transmission ,SYMPTOMS - Abstract
The current outbreak of Ebola virus in West Africa has become a devastating problem, with a mortality rate around 51%; over 3 132 deaths have been confirmed and even more are expected in this case. The virus causes a characteristic disease known as hemorrhagic fever. Its symptoms range from nonspecific signs such as fever, to more specific problems such as serious bleeding. Transmission occurs easily when a person comes in contact with contaminated fluids. Treatment is supportive because there are still no specific drugs for use. The present review focuses on the main features related to the Ebola virus, its transmission, pathogenesis, treatment and control forms. There is little in-depth knowledge about this disease, but its severity requires attention and information to prevent a worse scenario than the current. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2014
- Full Text
- View/download PDF
45. Reporting in a health emergency: The roles of Sierra Leonean journalists during the 2014-2015 Ebola outbreak
- Author
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Helle Mölsted Alvesson, Maike Winters, and Helena Nordenstedt
- Subjects
0301 basic medicine ,RNA viruses ,Male ,Viral Diseases ,Critical Care and Emergency Medicine ,Epidemiology ,RC955-962 ,Social Sciences ,Pathology and Laboratory Medicine ,Geographical locations ,Disease Outbreaks ,0302 clinical medicine ,State (polity) ,Sociology ,Arctic medicine. Tropical medicine ,Credibility ,Medicine and Health Sciences ,Public and Occupational Health ,media_common ,Freedom of the press ,Social Communication ,Journalism, Medical ,Public relations ,Middle Aged ,Professions ,Infectious Diseases ,Medical Microbiology ,Filoviruses ,Viral Pathogens ,Viruses ,Female ,Thematic analysis ,Public aspects of medicine ,RA1-1270 ,Pathogens ,Ebola Virus ,Attitude to Health ,Research Article ,Neglected Tropical Diseases ,Adult ,medicine.medical_specialty ,media_common.quotation_subject ,030231 tropical medicine ,Ebola Hemorrhagic Fever ,Microbiology ,Sierra leone ,Sierra Leone ,03 medical and health sciences ,Political science ,medicine ,Disease Transmission, Infectious ,Humans ,Microbial Pathogens ,Viral Hemorrhagic Fevers ,Biology and life sciences ,business.industry ,Hemorrhagic Fever Viruses ,Information Dissemination ,Public health ,Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health ,Organisms ,Hemorrhagic Fever, Ebola ,Tropical Diseases ,Communications ,030104 developmental biology ,Instructors ,Africa ,Population Groupings ,Personal experience ,People and places ,business ,Qualitative research - Abstract
Introduction In public health emergencies, local media are important sources of information for the public. Not much is known about the professional and personal roles and experiences of Sierra Leonean journalists during the Ebola virus disease (EVD) outbreak between 2014–2015. Methods/Principal findings This qualitative study is based on semi-structured interviews with 13 Sierra Leonean journalists based in urban Freetown and rural Waterloo in February and March 2016. The majority of the journalists worked for radio stations. The mostly male journalists represented national, regional and local radio stations. Transcripts of the interviews were analysed using thematic analysis. The analysis was inspired by previously reported journalist roles and agenda-setting theory, which state that the media filter what is happening, making a few core issues more salient. Sierra Leonean journalists shifted from being sceptical monitors in the beginning of the outbreak, to collaborative instructors towards the end. While they adapted to different roles, journalists struggled with their own fears for the virus, which hampered their work. They indicated that the training they received about Ebola helped them overcome their fear. Being trained gave a sense of security that helped them carry out their jobs. By turning into instructors, journalists stepped away from their journalistic professional detachment–potentially exacerbated by their personal experiences. Conclusion/Significance The first months of the outbreak were marked by passive agenda-setting roles of Sierra Leonean journalists. It took several months before the outbreak became a core issue in local media. In health emergencies, efforts should be made to partner with local media to use their platforms for local, trusted journalists and leaders to disseminate public health messages. Whereas this might hamper journalists’ credibility and can be challenging in areas with problematic press freedom, Sierra Leonean journalists experienced the outbreak as a driver of necessary change in their profession., Author summary Local media are important sources of information for the public during a health emergency. However, not much is known about the roles and experiences of local journalists who have to report under extraordinary circumstances. In this qualitative study, we interviewed Sierra Leonean journalists who reported during the 2014–2015 Ebola outbreak. The thematic analysis shows that the journalists adapted different roles over the course of the outbreak. They went from being sceptical about the existence of an outbreak at the start to changing into instructors at the end of the outbreak. Journalists struggled with their own fear for the virus, which they could overcome through targeted training, that helped them identify safe practices of reporting in the field. Our results show that it is possible to effectively partner with local media to disseminate public health messages. This might be challenging in settings with problematic press freedom, but Sierra Leonean journalists actually felt that the outbreak helped improve their practices.
- Published
- 2020
46. Challenges to Ebola preparedness during an ongoing outbreak: An analysis of borderland livelihoods and trust in Uganda
- Author
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Richard Kabanda, Douglas Lubowa, David Kaawa-Mafigiri, Megan M. Schmidt-Sane, Jannie Nielsen, Mandi Chikombero, Jonathan Gamusi, and Miriam Lwanga
- Subjects
Male ,RNA viruses ,Viral Diseases ,Economic growth ,Economics ,Culture ,Opposition (politics) ,Social Sciences ,Transportation ,Pathology and Laboratory Medicine ,medicine.disease_cause ,Disease Outbreaks ,Cultural Anthropology ,Geographical Locations ,0302 clinical medicine ,Sociology ,Medicine and Health Sciences ,Ethnicities ,Uganda ,0601 history and archaeology ,030212 general & internal medicine ,media_common ,Transients and Migrants ,Multidisciplinary ,Distrust ,06 humanities and the arts ,Livelihood ,Democracy ,Religion ,Infectious Diseases ,Congo ,Medical Microbiology ,Filoviruses ,Viral Pathogens ,Preparedness ,Viruses ,Engineering and Technology ,Medicine ,Female ,Public Health ,Pathogens ,Ebola Virus ,Research Article ,Neglected Tropical Diseases ,Adult ,media_common.quotation_subject ,Science ,Kongo People ,Trust ,Microbiology ,Ebola Hemorrhagic Fever ,Interviews as Topic ,03 medical and health sciences ,Politics ,Health Economics ,Political science ,medicine ,Humans ,Microbial Pathogens ,African People ,Viral Hemorrhagic Fevers ,060101 anthropology ,Ebola virus ,Biology and life sciences ,Hemorrhagic Fever Viruses ,Organisms ,Hemorrhagic Fever, Ebola ,Tropical Diseases ,Boats ,Health Care ,Leadership ,Anthropology ,People and Places ,Africa ,Population Groupings - Abstract
Ebola Virus Disease in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) was declared a public health emergency of international concern on July 17, 2019. The first case to cross the border into Uganda in June 2019 demonstrates the importance of better understanding border dynamics in a context of Ebola. This paper adopts a political economy approach to contextualize epidemic response programs conducted in moderate- and high-risk border districts in Uganda, through a qualitative study with 287 participants. To that end, our aim was to describe the historical underpinnings of the borderlands context; the role of livelihood strategies in constraining risk avoidance decisions; and the dynamics of trust in authority figures, including health workers. This paper reports that border communities are highly connected, for a variety of social and economic reasons. These daily realities are in direct opposition to guidance to limit travel during an active Ebola epidemic. We argue that an ability to limit movement is constrained by the economic need to seek livelihood strategies wherever that may be. Moreover, border regions are populated by communities with long-standing distrust in authority figures, particularly in fishing areas. This distrust spills over with consequences for Ebola prevention and control activities. This research indexes the importance of tailoring Ebola programming and policies to consider the political and economic dynamics of borderlands.
- Published
- 2020
47. WHO announces 2nd outbreak of Ebola in Congo, 4 deaths reported
- Subjects
Ebola hemorrhagic fever ,Coronaviruses ,Health ,Measles ,Public health ,News, opinion and commentary ,World Health Organization - Abstract
Byline: DNA webdesk Congo so far has also confirmed 611 COVID-19 cases, including 20 deaths. The head of the World Health Organization (WHO) Tedros Adhanom GhebreyesusÃáconfirmed the second outbreak of [...]
- Published
- 2020
48. Even I have struggled with self-isolation; Cancer has stopped me playing the role fighting this virus I hoped for, but I've learned to be positive
- Subjects
Cancer -- Personal narratives ,Ebola hemorrhagic fever ,Justice ,Isolation ,Public health ,Poisoning ,Public health movements ,General interest - Abstract
Byline: Paul Cosford Ilove my job. For 10 years I have worked at Public Health England (PHE) and its predecessor, the Health Protection Agency, responding to major public health emergencies [...]
- Published
- 2020
49. The World Bank's 2017 pandemic response fund isn't working
- Author
-
Pillinger, Mara
- Subjects
Epidemics -- Economic aspects -- United States ,COVID-19 -- Economic aspects ,Public health administration -- Finance ,Coronaviruses ,Ebola hemorrhagic fever ,Coronavirus infections ,World health ,Finance ,Bonds (Securities) ,Derivatives (Financial instruments) ,Public health ,Public health movements ,Company financing ,General interest ,News, opinion and commentary ,World Bank Group. World Bank -- Finance - Abstract
Byline: Mara Pillinger How do the world's poorest nations tackle a global health crisis like the current coronavirus outbreak? After the 2014 Ebola epidemic in West Africa, the World Bank [...]
- Published
- 2020
50. Lock down, don't shut down
- Subjects
Quarantine ,Disease transmission -- Prevention ,COVID-19 -- Distribution -- Patient outcomes -- Prevention ,Soldiers ,Ebola hemorrhagic fever ,Military personnel ,Public health ,Bribery ,Public health movements ,Novels ,Company distribution practices ,General interest ,News, opinion and commentary - Abstract
For Print Use Only. This appeared in Thursday's Washington Post. - - - When authorities imposed a quarantine on the sprawling Monrovia, Liberia, slum of West Point in 2014 in [...]
- Published
- 2020
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