COVID-19 in West Africa: regional resource mobilisation and allocation in the first year of the pandemic

The world continues to battle the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Whereas many countries are currently experiencing the second wave of the outbreak; Africa, despite being the last continent to be affected by the virus, has not experienced as much devastation as other continents. For example, West Africa, with a population of 367 million people, had confirmed 412 178 cases of COVID-19 with 5363 deaths as of 14 March 2021; compared with the USA which had recorded almost 30 million cases and 530 000 deaths, despite having a slightly smaller population (328 million). Several postulations have been made in an attempt to explain this phenomenon. One hypothesis is that African countries have leveraged on experiences from past epidemics to build resilience and response strategies which may be contributing to protecting the continent’s health systems from being overwhelmed. This practice paper from the West African Health Organization presents experience and data from the field on how countries in the region mobilised support to address the pandemic in the first year, leveraging on systems, infrastructure, capacities developed and experiences from the 2014 Ebola virus disease outbreak.

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COVID-19 Outbreak in Africa: Lessons and Insights from the West African Ebola Virus Disease Epidemics

International Journal of Travel Medicine and Global Health ◽

10.34172/ijtmgh.2020.17 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 8 (3) ◽

pp. 96-99

Author(s):

Oluwafolajimi Adetoye Adesanya

Keyword(s):

Ebola Virus ◽

Democratic Republic Of Congo ◽

Virus Disease ◽

Disease Outbreaks ◽

Ebola Virus Disease ◽

African Continent ◽

Outbreak Response ◽

African Countries ◽

Response Strategies ◽

Past Experiences

Over the years, the African continent has had to battle several outbreaks of infectious diseases in different countries. Some of the most deadly were the Ebola virus disease (EVD) outbreaks that occurred in West Africa between 2014 and 2016 affecting Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone and, more recently, from 2018 to 2020 in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). In the era of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is important that as a continent, we draw lessons and insights from our past experiences to guide outbreak response strategies being deployed to curb the latest onslaught. The Ebola outbreaks have shown that disease outbreaks should not be seen only as medical emergencies, but as full blown humanitarian crises, because oftentimes, their socio-economic impacts are more devastating than the more obvious cost to life. In this mini-review, we explore the possible humanitarian costs of the COVID-19 pandemic on the African continent by looking through the lens of our past experiences with the EVD outbreaks, highlighting how the current pandemic could significantly affect the African economy, food security, and vulnerable demographics, like children and the sexual and reproductive health and rights of women and girls. We then proffer recommendations that could be instrumental in preventing a double tragedy involving the devastating health consequences of the virus itself and the deadly fallout from its multi-sectoral knock-on effects in African countries. Keywords: COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, Ebola Virus Disease, Coronavirus.

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The 100 top-Cited Studies on Ebola: A Bibliometric Analysis

10.21203/rs.3.rs-53549/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Joseph Kawuki ◽

Taha Hussein Musa ◽

Shireen Salome Papabathini ◽

Upama Ghimire ◽

Nathan Obore ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Bibliometric Analysis ◽

Prevention And Control ◽

Ebola Virus ◽

Virus Disease ◽

Ebola Virus Disease ◽

African Countries ◽

Effective Prevention ◽

The Usa ◽

Number Of Citations ◽

And Control

Abstract Background: The achievements in Ebola virus disease (EVD) prevention and control can be reflected by scientific studies, particularly in the top-cited studies. The study thus aimed to identify and characterise the 100 top-cited studies of Ebola.Methods: The study used a retrospective bibliometric analysis, which was performed in January 2020. Studies were searched from the Web of Science using the keywords: “Ebola” or “Ebola virus” or “Ebola virus disease” to identify the 100 top-cited ebola studies. Studies were analysed for the number of citations, authorship, and journal, year of publication, country and institution. The analyses were carried out using SPSS, HistCite and VOSviewer.Results: The 100 top-cited studies were published between 1977 and 2017, were cited from 169 to 808 times and had an average citation of 290.5, and 8 studies were cited more than 500 times. They were published in 31 journals, and Journal of Virology published most of the studies (n=14). They were produced by 33 countries, and the USA published most of the studies (63), followed by Germany (8) and Gabon (6). Centre for Disease prevention and Control-USA (26) was the leading institution, while Geisbert TW and Sanchez A were the most productive authors.Conclusions: This study provides insights into the historical advancements reflected by the top-cited studies and has highlighted the leading roles played by various stakeholders in addressing EVD. However, the contribution of African countries is not sufficiently reflected among these studies, and so more focus, funding and involvement in clinical research is needed for effective prevention and control of EVD in Africa.

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The 2014 Ebola virus disease outbreak in West Africa

Journal of General Virology ◽

10.1099/vir.0.067199-0 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 95 (8) ◽

pp. 1619-1624 ◽

Cited By ~ 139

Author(s):

Derek Gatherer

Keyword(s):

West Africa ◽

Ebola Virus ◽

Virus Disease ◽

Single Case ◽

Atlantic Coast ◽

Urban Setting ◽

Ebola Virus Disease ◽

World Health ◽

The Republic ◽

Health Organization

On 23 March 2014, the World Health Organization issued its first communiqué on a new outbreak of Ebola virus disease (EVD), which began in December 2013 in Guinée Forestière (Forested Guinea), the eastern sector of the Republic of Guinea. Located on the Atlantic coast of West Africa, Guinea is the first country in this geographical region in which an outbreak of EVD has occurred, leaving aside the single case reported in Ivory Coast in 1994. Cases have now also been confirmed across Guinea as well as in the neighbouring Republic of Liberia. The appearance of cases in the Guinean capital, Conakry, and the transit of another case through the Liberian capital, Monrovia, presents the first large urban setting for EVD transmission. By 20 April 2014, 242 suspected cases had resulted in a total of 147 deaths in Guinea and Liberia. The causative agent has now been identified as an outlier strain of Zaire Ebola virus. The full geographical extent and degree of severity of the outbreak, its zoonotic origins and its possible spread to other continents are sure to be subjects of intensive discussion over the next months.

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Ebola virus disease epidemic in West Africa: lessons learned and issues arising from West African countries

Clinical Medicine ◽

10.7861/clinmedicine.15-1-54 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 15 (1) ◽

pp. 54-57 ◽

Cited By ~ 23

Author(s):

Obinna O Oleribe ◽

Babatunde L Salako ◽

M Mourtalla Ka ◽

Albert Akpalu ◽

Mairi McConnochie ◽

...

Keyword(s):

West Africa ◽

Ebola Virus ◽

Virus Disease ◽

West African ◽

Lessons Learned ◽

Ebola Virus Disease ◽

African Countries

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Clinical and epidemiological features of the disease caused by the Ebola virus, at the present stage: pathogenetic basis of therapy

Epidemiology and Infectious Diseases (Russian Journal) ◽

10.17816/eid40848 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 20 (1) ◽

pp. 32-39

Author(s):

O. I Kiselev ◽

L. M Tsybalova ◽

E. G Deeva ◽

V. V Tsvetkov ◽

G. S Golobokov ◽

...

Keyword(s):

West Africa ◽

Coming Out ◽

Ebola Virus ◽

Virus Disease ◽

Disease Outbreaks ◽

Multiple Organ ◽

World Health ◽

Pathogenetic Therapy ◽

Sporadic Cases ◽

Health Organization

Ebola virus disease (EVD), formerly known as Ebola haemorrhagic fever is severe acute infectious diseases accompanied by the development of severe systemic inflammatory response followed by the addition of disseminated intravascular coagulation and multiple organ failure. Since 1976 in Africa regularly observed disease outbreaks among humans caused by different types of Ebola virus. Modern epidemic in West Africa began in Guinea in February 2014 and is still going on, coming out of the country and distributed in Liberia, Sierra Leone and Nigeria. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) on December 14, 2014 recorded 18,603 cases of them confirmed EVD 11807, fatal 6915. From July 2014 to currently registered sporadic cases EVD among health care workers caring for patients, as well as among tourists returning from countries affected by the epidemic is already outside of West Africa. Due to the limited use of specific antiviral therapy with special attention to the management ofpatients with EVD should be paid to the intensive and timely pathogenetic therapy. Today, the only way to reduce morbidity and mortality among people from EVD is awareness on the risk factors of infection and the use ofpersonal protective measures.

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

Online Journal of Public Health Informatics ◽

10.5210/ojphi.v10i1.8959 ◽

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/

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Ebola 2014 - unprecedented epidemic / Ebola 2014 – epidemija bez presedana

SESTRINSKI ŽURNAL ◽

10.7251/sez0215011k ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 2 (2) ◽

pp. 11

Author(s):

Darija Knežević ◽

Duška Jović

Keyword(s):

Ebola Virus ◽

Virus Disease ◽

Hemorrhagic Fever ◽

Medical Personnel ◽

Viral Disease ◽

World Health ◽

Effective Vaccine ◽

African Countries ◽

Imported Case ◽

Health Organization

Ebola, previously known as Ebola hemorrhagic fever, is a rare and deadly disease caused by infection with one of the Ebola virus strains. Starting from February 2014, the Ebola virus outbreak had spread across West African countries within a few months and caused great concerns of the World Health Organization. Currently there are no effective vaccines and drugs that are available for the prevention and treatment of infection with Ebola virus. Medical personnel caring for patients with suspect or confirmed Ebola viral disease is particularly exposed to the risk of suffering from this dangerous disease. It is important for frontline medical providers to understand key aspects of Ebola virus disease to quickly recognize an imported case, provide appropriate medical care, and prevent transmission. This paper gives a brief overview of the epidemics and pandemics, the biological characteristics of Ebola virus, the potential antiviral drugs and vaccines, as well as preventive measures.* 31 . July 2015, is said to have discovered an effective vaccine against Ebola virus http://www.thelancet.com/pb/assets/raw/Lancet/pdfs/S0140673615611175.pdf (note editor).

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Emergence of the Ebola Virus Disease in West Africa

Examining the Role of Environmental Change on Emerging Infectious Diseases and Pandemics - Advances in Human Services and Public Health ◽

10.4018/978-1-5225-0553-2.ch007 ◽

2017 ◽

pp. 163-177

Author(s):

Samir Dervisevic

Keyword(s):

West Africa ◽

Ebola Virus ◽

Virus Disease ◽

Central Africa ◽

Ebola Virus Disease ◽

World Health ◽

Viral Haemorrhagic Fever ◽

The World ◽

Viral Illness ◽

Health Organization

This chapter gives an overview on the recent outbreak of Ebola Virus Disease in West Africa which has lasted for over seventeen months. The Ebola virus has been implicated as a causative agent of viral haemorrhagic fever occurring in Central Africa over the last thirty-nine years. However, the Ebola virus has not previously been recognised as an endemic virus causing outbreaks of viral illness in West Africa. The start of what was to become the largest Ebola virus disease (EVD) outbreak in known history was first reported to the World Health Organization (WHO) on the 23rd of March 2014 and since then it has transformed into an unprecedented and severe epidemic affecting the three countries of West Africa (Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone). The emergence of this lethal virus in a setting of profound poverty, a dysfunctional public-health and a weak government infrastructure alarmed the wider world and caused dread from an uncontrollable spread.

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

Nature Communications ◽

10.1038/s41467-021-21411-0 ◽

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.

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