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After Ebola in West Africa — Unpredictable Risks, Preventable Epidemics
- Source :
- 2016, ' After Ebola in West Africa — Unpredictable Risks, Preventable Epidemics ', New England Journal of Medicine, vol. 375, no. 6, pp. 587-596 . https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMsr1513109
- Publication Year :
- 2016
-
Abstract
- Between December 2013 and April 2016, the largest epidemic of Ebola virus disease (EVD) to date generated more than 28,000 cases and more than 11,000 deaths in the large, mobile populations of Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone. Tracking the rapid rise and slower decline of the West African epidemic has reinforced some common understandings about the epidemiology and control of EVD but has also generated new insights. Despite having more information about the geographic distribution of the disease, the risk of human infection from animals and from survivors of EVD remains unpredictable over a wide area of equatorial Africa. Until human exposure to infection can be anticipated or avoided, future outbreaks will have to be managed with the classic approach to EVD control — extensive surveillance, rapid detection and diagnosis, comprehensive tracing of contacts, prompt patient isolation, supportive clinical care, rigorous efforts to prevent and control infection, safe and dignified burial, and engagement of the community. Empirical and modeling studies conducted during the West African epidemic have shown that large epidemics of EVD are preventable — a rapid response can interrupt transmission and restrict the size of outbreaks, even in densely populated cities. The critical question now is how to ensure that populations and their health services are ready for the next outbreak, wherever it may occur. Health security across Africa and beyond depends on committing resources to both strengthen national health systems and sustain investment in the next generation of vaccines, drugs, and diagnostics.
- Subjects :
- 0301 basic medicine
DYNAMICS
medicine.medical_specialty
LIBERIA
Sexual transmission
MODELING ANALYSIS
viruses
RAPID RESPONSE
Disaster Planning
medicine.disease_cause
REMOTE AREAS
West africa
Sierra leone
03 medical and health sciences
0302 clinical medicine
Medicine, General & Internal
SIERRA-LEONE
Environmental health
General & Internal Medicine
medicine
Humans
030212 general & internal medicine
Epidemics
Rapid response
Ebolavirus
Ebola virus
Science & Technology
VIRUS DISEASE OUTBREAK
business.industry
SEPTEMBER 2014
Public health
SEXUAL TRANSMISSION
Outbreak
General Medicine
11 Medical And Health Sciences
Hemorrhagic Fever, Ebola
Virology
Africa, Western
030104 developmental biology
business
Life Sciences & Biomedicine
Public Health Administration
INTERVENTIONS
WHO Ebola Response Team
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- Database :
- OpenAIRE
- Journal :
- 2016, ' After Ebola in West Africa — Unpredictable Risks, Preventable Epidemics ', New England Journal of Medicine, vol. 375, no. 6, pp. 587-596 . https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJMsr1513109
- Accession number :
- edsair.doi.dedup.....d2e81860da2de585d5fe28c82331cff9