scholarly journals A Primer on Ebola for Clinicians

2014 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 33-37 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eric Toner ◽  
Amesh Adalja ◽  
Thomas Inglesby
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
West Africa ◽  
Infection Control ◽  
Ebola Virus ◽  
Virus Disease ◽  
Ebola Virus Disease ◽  
Hospital Infection Control ◽  
Current Outbreak ◽  
Indefinite Future ◽  
And Control

AbstractThe size of the world’s largest Ebola outbreak now ongoing in West Africa makes clear that further exportation of Ebola virus disease to other parts of the world will remain a real possibility for the indefinite future. Clinicians outside of West Africa, particularly those who work in emergency medicine, critical care, infectious diseases, and infection control, should be familiar with the fundamentals of Ebola virus disease, including its diagnosis, treatment, and control. In this article we provide basic information on the Ebola virus and its epidemiology and microbiology. We also describe previous outbreaks and draw comparisons to the current outbreak with a focus on the public health measures that have controlled past outbreaks. We review the pathophysiology and clinical features of the disease, highlighting diagnosis, treatment, and hospital infection control issues that are relevant to practicing clinicians. We reference official guidance and point out where important uncertainty or controversy exists. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2014;0:1-5)

scholarly journals Response to Ebola Virus Disease Outbreak in Nigeria, West Africa: The Zaria experience

2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Aisha Abubakar ◽  
Kabir Sabitu ◽  
Mohammed Nasir Sambo ◽  
Abdulrazaq Gobir ◽  
Sani Abrahim ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
West Africa ◽  
Infection Control ◽  
Case Management ◽  
Prevention And Control ◽  
Ebola Virus ◽  
Virus Disease ◽  
Ebola Virus Disease ◽  
University Teaching ◽  
Health Organization ◽  
And Control

ObjectiveTo assess the formation and function of a joint committee of the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) and the Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital (ABUTH) to prevent and control EVD in Zaria and the North West sub region of Nigeria.IntroductionThe Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) outbreak in West Africa was unprecedented in spread and its attendant response. There were over 15 000 confirmed cases and over 9 000 suspected cases. The response to the outbreak was massive within Africa and beyond. The outbreak in Nigeria affected 19 people and led to 7 deaths (CFR 37%).There were more than 891 contacts of these cases under surveillance as at 23rd September 2014. Nigeria was declared EVD free by the World Health Organization in October 2014.Nationwide there was targeted preparedness to prevent and control EVD. In Zaria, this led to the formation of a joint committee of the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) and the Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital (ABUTH) to prevent and control EVD in Zaria and the sub region as a whole.MethodsA joint multidisciplinary committee was formed by ABU and ABUTH with representatives from the Department of Community Medicine, Internal Medicine, Nursing sciences, Veterinary Public Health, Medical Microbiology, Mass Communication, Directorate of Public Affairs ABU Zaria, General Administration and Management services division ABUTH, the University Health Services and the Centre for Disease Risk Management under the Department of Geography. Four subcommittees were created steered by the main committee. The subcommittees were Surveillance; Case Management; Infection Control and Social and Mass mobilization subcommitteesResultsThe committee conducted seminars and trainings in case management, surveillance and infection control. Mass media campaigns included radio jingles production and airing as well as production of flyers and posters on EVD prevention and control. There was a phone in live radio programme. Screening exercise for raised temperature was conducted using laser thermometers at main entry points. A case of suspected EVD was managed who turned out to be a case of dengue haemorrhagic fever.ConclusionsThe committee was enriched by its multidisciplinary nature and a blueprint for the control and prevention of EVD was developed in line with national and global standards. The committee was hampered with lack of funds to implement fully the blueprint for the prevention and control of EVD in Zaria and its environs. The committee transformed into the ABU/ABUTH Epidemic Preparedness and Response Committee after the outbreak was over to address other emerging epidemics.ReferencesABU/ABUTH Joint Committee For The Prevention And Control Of Ebola Virus Disease (ABUPACE) Blueprint For Prevention And Control Of Ebola Virus Disease In ABU/ABUTH Zaria 2014. Pages 1-44World Health Organization. WHO declares end of Ebola outbreak in Nigeria www.who.int/mediacentre/news/statements/2014/nigeria-ends-ebola/en/ 

Doctors’ Knowledge of Viral Haemorrhagic Fevers

2015 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 47-52
Author(s):  
Clifford Lisk ◽  
◽  
Luke Snell ◽  
Michael Haji-Coll ◽  
Jayne Ellis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Risk Factors ◽  
At Risk ◽  
West Africa ◽  
Ebola Virus ◽  
Healthcare Professionals ◽  
Virus Disease ◽  
Ebola Virus Disease ◽  
Poor Knowledge ◽  
Online Study

Viral Haemorrhagic Fevers (VHF) such as Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) are of increasing concern of increasing concern to clinicians and public heath bodies across Europe and America due to the on-going epidemic in West Africa. We conducted an online study to assess clinicians’ knowledge of VHF across six hospital sites in London. This showed suboptimal knowledge of Public Health England guidance, EVD epidemiology and the risk factors for acquiring VHF. Knowledge about VHF was dependent on seniority of grade with the most junior grade of doctors performing worse in several areas of the survey. Poor knowledge raises concerns that those at risk of VHF will be inappropriately risk stratified and managed. Education of doctors and other healthcare professionals about VHF is necessary to address these knowledge gaps.

scholarly journals Incorporating health workers’ perspectives into a WHO guideline on personal protective equipment developed during an Ebola virus disease outbreak

F1000Research ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
pp. 45 ◽  
Author(s):  
Saskia Den Boon ◽  
Constanza Vallenas ◽  
Mauricio Ferri ◽  
Susan L. Norris
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
West Africa ◽  
Personal Protective Equipment ◽  
Ebola Virus ◽  
Expert Panel ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Virus Disease ◽  
Ebola Virus Disease ◽  
World Health ◽  
Protective Equipment

Background: Ebola virus disease (EVD) health facility transmission can result in infection and death of health workers. The World Health Organization (WHO) supports countries in preparing for and responding to public health emergencies, which often require developing new guidance in short timelines with scarce evidence. The objective of this study was to understand frontline physicians’ and nurses’ perspectives about personal protective equipment (PPE) use during the 2014-2016 EVD outbreak in West Africa and to incorporate these findings into the development process of a WHO rapid advice guideline. Methods: We surveyed frontline physicians and nurses deployed to West Africa between March and September of 2014. Results: We developed the protocol, obtained ethics approval, delivered the survey, analysed the data and presented the findings as part of the evidence-to-decision tables at the expert panel meeting where the recommendations were formulated within eight weeks. Forty-four physicians and nurses responded to the survey. They generally felt at low or extremely low risk of virus transmission with all types of PPE used. Eye protection reduced the ability to provide care, mainly due to impaired visibility because of fogging. Heat and dehydration were a major issue for 76% of the participants using goggles and for 64% using a hood. Both gowns and coveralls were associated with significant heat stress and dehydration. Most participants (59%) were very confident that they were using PPE correctly. Conclusion: Our study demonstrated that it was possible to incorporate primary data on end-users’ preferences into a rapid advice guideline for a public health emergency in difficult field conditions. Health workers perceived a balance between transmission protection and ability to care for patients effectively while wearing PPE. These findings were used by the guideline development expert panel to formulate WHO recommendations on PPE for frontline providers caring for EVD patients in outbreak conditions.

scholarly journals An Analysis of the International and Domestic Health Hazards Posed by the 2014 West African Ebola Virus Disease Outbreak

2015 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew Hickey ◽  
Sarah Cheeseman Barthel ◽  
Tyann Blessington ◽  
Yandace K. Brown ◽  
Diana Y. Wong ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
West Africa ◽  
Ebola Virus ◽  
Virus Disease ◽  
Rapid Identification ◽  
West African ◽  
Ebola Virus Disease ◽  
Health Initiatives ◽  
Barrier Nursing ◽  
Public Health Initiatives

An epidemic of "ebolavirus" in West Africa, which was first identified in March 2014, is now the largest Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) outbreak on record. The West African epidemic will only be quelled through widespread adherence of public health initiatives promoting barrier-nursing techniques, health education, and the rapid identification of cases. The ongoing EVD outbreak in West Africa is unlikely to affect public health in the U.S. significantly.

scholarly journals Incorporating health workers’ perspectives into a WHO guideline on personal protective equipment developed during an Ebola virus disease outbreak

F1000Research ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
pp. 45 ◽  
Author(s):  
Saskia Den Boon ◽  
Constanza Vallenas ◽  
Mauricio Ferri ◽  
Susan L. Norris
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
West Africa ◽  
Personal Protective Equipment ◽  
Ebola Virus ◽  
Expert Panel ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Virus Disease ◽  
Ebola Virus Disease ◽  
World Health ◽  
Protective Equipment

Background: Ebola virus disease (EVD) health facility transmission can result in infection and death of health workers. The World Health Organization (WHO) supports countries in preparing for and responding to public health emergencies, which often require developing new guidance in short timelines with scarce evidence. The objective of this study was to understand frontline physicians’ and nurses’ perspectives about personal protective equipment (PPE) use during the 2014-2016 EVD outbreak in West Africa and to incorporate these findings into the development process of a WHO rapid advice guideline. Methods: We surveyed frontline physicians and nurses deployed to West Africa between March and September of 2014. Results: We developed the protocol, obtained ethics approval, delivered the survey, analysed the data and presented the findings as part of the evidence-to-decision tables at the expert panel meeting where the recommendations were formulated within eight weeks. Forty-four physicians and nurses responded to the survey. They generally felt at low or extremely low risk of virus transmission with all types of PPE used. Eye protection reduced the ability to provide care, mainly due to impaired visibility because of fogging. Heat and dehydration were a major issue for 76% of the participants using goggles and for 64% using a hood. Both gowns and coveralls were associated with significant heat stress and dehydration. Most participants (59%) were very confident that they were using PPE correctly. Conclusion: Our study demonstrated that it was possible to incorporate primary data on end-users’ preferences into a rapid advice guideline for a public health emergency in difficult field conditions. Health workers perceived a balance between transmission protection and ability to care for patients effectively while wearing PPE. These findings were used by the guideline development expert panel to formulate WHO recommendations on PPE for frontline providers caring for EVD patients in outbreak conditions.

scholarly journals Public health challenges and legacies of Japan’s response to the Ebola virus disease outbreak in West Africa 2014 to 2015

2015 ◽  
Vol 20 (44) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tomoya Saito
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
West Africa ◽  
Ebola Virus ◽  
Virus Disease ◽  
Emerging Diseases ◽  
Ebola Virus Disease ◽  
Response Strategy ◽  
Expert Committee ◽  
Medical Response ◽  
Entry Points

The largest outbreak of Ebola virus disease occurred in West Africa in 2014 and resulted in unprecedented transmission even in distant countries. In Japan, only nine individuals were screened for Ebola and there was no confirmed case. However, the government promoted the reinforcement of response measures and interagency collaboration, with training and simulation exercises conducted country-wide. The legacies included: publication of a communication policy on case disclosure, a protocol for collaboration between public health and other agencies, and establishing an expert committee to assemble the limited available expertise. There were challenges in taking proportionate and flexible measures in the management of people identified to be at high risk at entry points to Japan, in the decentralised medical response strategy, and in the medical countermeasures preparedness. The Ebola outbreak in West Africa provided a crucial opportunity to reveal the challenges and improve the preparedness for rare but high impact emerging diseases that are prone to be neglected. Efforts to uphold the lessons learnt and maintain public health preparedness should help prepare for future emerging diseases, including bioterrorist acts and pandemics.

scholarly journals Characterisation of the T-cell response to Ebola virus glycoprotein amongst survivors of the 2013–16 West Africa epidemic

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
T. R. W. Tipton ◽  
Y. Hall ◽  
J. A. Bore ◽  
A. White ◽  
L. S. Sibley ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
T Cell ◽  
West Africa ◽  
Cell Response ◽  
Ebola Virus ◽  
Medical Condition ◽  
Virus Disease ◽  
T Cell Response ◽  
Ebola Virus Disease ◽  
Cell Phenotype ◽  
T Cell Epitopes

AbstractZaireebolavirus (EBOV) is a highly pathogenic filovirus which can result in Ebola virus disease (EVD); a serious medical condition that presents as flu like symptoms but then often leads to more serious or fatal outcomes. The 2013–16 West Africa epidemic saw an unparalleled number of cases. Here we show characterisation and identification of T cell epitopes in surviving patients from Guinea to the EBOV glycoprotein. We perform interferon gamma (IFNγ) ELISpot using a glycoprotein peptide library to identify T cell epitopes and determine the CD4+ or CD8+ T cell component response. Additionally, we generate data on the T cell phenotype and measure polyfunctional cytokine secretion by these antigen specific cells. We show candidate peptides able to elicit a T cell response in EBOV survivors and provide inferred human leukocyte antigen (HLA) allele restriction. This data informs on the long-term T cell response to Ebola virus disease and highlights potentially important immunodominant peptides.

Screening at ports of entry for Ebola Virus Disease in England—a descriptive analysis of screening assessment data, 2014–2015

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicki L Boddington ◽  
Sophia Steinberger ◽  
Richard G Pebody
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
High Risk ◽  
Secondary Care ◽  
Ebola Virus ◽  
Virus Disease ◽  
Descriptive Analysis ◽  
Health Assessment ◽  
Ebola Virus Disease ◽  
Screening Assessment

Abstract Background In response to the outbreak of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in West Africa in 2014 and evidence of spread to other countries, pre-entry screening was introduced by PHE at five major ports of entry in the England. Methods All passengers that entered the England via the five ports returning from Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leonne were required to complete a Health Assessment Form and have their temperature taken. The numbers, characteristics and outcomes of these passengers were analysed. Results Between 14 October 2014 and 13 October 2015, a total of 12 648 passengers from affected countries had been screened. The majority of passengers were assessed as having no direct contact with EVD cases or high-risk events (12 069, 95.4%), although 535 (4.2%) passengers were assessed as requiring public health follow-up. In total, 39 passengers were referred directly to secondary care, although none were diagnosed with EVD. One high-risk passenger was later referred to secondary care and diagnosed with EVD. Conclusions Collection of these screening data enabled timely monitoring of the numbers and characteristics of passengers screened for EVD, facilitated resourcing decisions and acted as a mechanism to inform passengers of the necessary public health actions.

scholarly journals Comparative phylogeography of African fruit bats (Chiroptera, Pteropodidae) provide new insights into the outbreak of Ebola virus disease in West Africa, 2014–2016

2016 ◽  
Vol 339 (11-12) ◽  
pp. 517-528 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexandre Hassanin ◽  
Nicolas Nesi ◽  
Julie Marin ◽  
Blaise Kadjo ◽  
Xavier Pourrut ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
West Africa ◽  
Ebola Virus ◽  
Virus Disease ◽  
Ebola Virus Disease ◽  
Fruit Bats ◽  
Comparative Phylogeography

scholarly journals Seroprevalence of Ebola virus infection in Bombali District, Sierra Leone

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nadege Goumkwa Mafopa ◽  
Gianluca Russo ◽  
Raoul Emeric Guetiya Wadoum ◽  
Emmanuel Iwerima ◽  
Vincent Batwala ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Immune Response ◽  
Virus Infection ◽  
West Africa ◽  
Sierra Leone ◽  
Ebola Virus ◽  
Virus Disease ◽  
Asymptomatic Infection ◽  
Ebola Virus Disease ◽  
Efficient Immune Response ◽  
Ebola Virus Infection

A serosurvey of anti-Ebola Zaire virus nucleoprotein IgG prevalence was carried out among Ebola virus disease survivors and their Community Contacts in Bombali District, Sierra Leone. Our data suggest that the specie of Ebola virus (Zaire) responsible of the 2013-2016 epidemic in West Africa may cause mild or asymptomatic infection in a proportion of cases, possibly due to an efficient immune response.

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