scholarly journals Bibliometric Analysis of Ebola Research Indexed in Web of Science and Scopus (2010-2020)

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-12
Author(s):  
Joseph Kawuki ◽  
Xiaojin Yu ◽  
Taha Hussein Musa
Keyword(s):  
Infectious Diseases ◽  
Bibliometric Analysis ◽  
Ebola Virus ◽  
Web Of Science ◽  
Democratic Republic Of Congo ◽  
Virus Disease ◽  
Ebola Virus Disease ◽  
African Countries ◽  
Double Blind ◽  
Effective Prevention

Background. Within the past decade, Africa has faced several recurrent outbreaks of Ebola virus disease (EVD), including the 2014-2016 outbreak in West Africa and the recent 2018-2020 Kivu outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The study thus aimed at quantifying and mapping the scientific output of EVD research published within 2010-2020 though a bibliometric perspective. Methods. EVD-related publications from 2010 to 2020 were retrieved from the Web of Science (WoS) and Scopus databases by using the keywords ‘Ebola’, ‘Ebola Virus Disease’, ‘Ebolas’, and ‘ebolavirus’. Biblioshiny software (using R-studio cloud) was used to categorise and evaluate authors’, countries’ and journals’ contribution. VOSviewer was used for network visualisation. Results. According to the used search strategy, a total of 3865 and 3848 EVD documents were published in WoS and Scopus, respectively. The average citation per document was 16.1 (WoS) and 16.3 (Scopus). The results show an overall increase in the publication trend within the study period. The leading countries in EVD research were the USA and UK, with over 100 papers in both databases, including Nigeria and South Africa. NIAID and CDC-USA were the most influential institutions, while “Infectious Diseases” and “Medicine” were the most decisive research fields. The most contributing authors included Feldmann H and Qiu XG with over 60 papers in each database, while Journal of Infectious Diseases was the most crucial journal. The most cited article was from Aylward et al. published in 2014, while recent years displayed a keyword focus on “double-blind”, “efficacy”, “ring vaccination” and “drug effect”. Conclusion. This bibliometric analysis provides an updated historical perspective of progress in EVD research and has highlighted the role played by various stakeholders. However, the contribution of African countries and institutions is not sufficiently reflected, implying a need for increased funding and focus on EVD research for effective prevention and control.

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

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.

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

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.

scholarly journals Ebola Virus Disease in sub-Saharan Africa: Addressing Gaps to Handle Future Outbreaks

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (3) ◽  
pp. p28
Author(s):  
Elizabeth Armstrong-Mensah ◽  
Bianca Tenney ◽  
Victoria Hawley
Keyword(s):  
Sierra Leone ◽  
Ebola Virus ◽  
Democratic Republic Of Congo ◽  
Virus Disease ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Ebola Virus Disease ◽  
African Countries ◽  
Preparedness Plan ◽  
The North ◽  
Sub Saharan

Between 2014 and 2016, the three West African countries of Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone experienced the deadliest Ebola virus disease (EVD) outbreak in sub-Saharan Africa. Two years later, a tenth epidemic recurred in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), specifically in the North Kivu and Ituri provinces, which lasted until June 2020. Though they occurred in different countries, a review of how the EVD outbreaks in Guinea, Liberia, Sierra Leone, and the DRC were handled by the respective country governments, reveal gaps in disease detection, response and action due to lack of surveillance, an EVD preparedness plan, and weak health systems. This perspective discusses the EVD outbreaks in Guinea, Liberia, Sierra Leone, and the DRC, their effects, and draws attention to gaps that need to be addressed by these countries in order to be better prepared to handle future outbreaks. Acting on the proposed recommendations will not only benefit Guinea, Liberia, Sierra Leone, and the DRC in the future, but will be of benefit to EVD susceptible countries in sub-Saharan Africa, as we live in a global community where diseases are no respecters of boundaries.

scholarly journals Ebola virus disease: Case management in the Institute of Infectious Diseases, University Hospital of Sassari, Sardinia, Italy

2016 ◽  
Vol 10 (05) ◽  
pp. 537-543 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giulia Bertoli ◽  
Marco Mannazzu ◽  
Giordano Madeddu ◽  
Riccardo Are ◽  
Alberto Muredda ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Infectious Diseases ◽  
Ebola Virus ◽  
Virus Disease ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
The United States ◽  
Ebola Virus Disease ◽  
University Hospital ◽  
Governmental Organization ◽  
Medical Division ◽  
Disease Case

Since the onset of the worst epidemic of Ebola virus disease in December 2013, 28,637 cases were reported as confirmed, probable, or suspected. Since the week of 3 January 2016, no more cases have been reported. The total number of deaths have amounted to 11,315 (39.5%). In developed countries, seven cases have been diagnosed: four in the United States, one in Spain, one in the United Kingdom, and one in Italy. On 20 July 2015, Italy was declared Ebola-free. On 9 May 2015, an Italian health worker came back to Italy after a long stay in Sierra Leone working for a non-governmental organization. Forty-eight hours after his arrival, he noticed headache, weakness, muscle pains, and slight fever. The following day, he was safely transported to the Infectious Diseases Unit of University Hospital of Sassari. The patient was hospitalized for 19 hours until an Italian Air Force medical division transferred him to Rome, to the Lazzaro Spallanzani Institute. Nineteen people who had contacts with the patient were monitored daily for 21 days by the Public Health Office of Sassari and none presented any symptoms. So far, neither vaccine nor treatment is available to be proposed on an international scale. Ebola is considered a re-emerging infectious disease which, unlike in the past, has been a worldwide emergency. This case study aimed to establish a discussion about the operative and logistic difficulties to be faced and about the discrepancy arising when protocols clash with the reality of facts.

scholarly journals Vaccines and Antibodies: Weapons in the Fight Against Ebola Virus

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Patrice Debré ◽  
Marie Neunez ◽  
Michel Goldman
Keyword(s):  
Infectious Disease ◽  
Immune System ◽  
Infectious Diseases ◽  
Human Body ◽  
Ebola Virus ◽  
Virus Disease ◽  
Ebola Virus Disease ◽  
World Today ◽  
The World ◽  
Stimulation Of

Ebola virus disease is one of the deadliest infections in the world today. The microbe to blame is the Ebola virus. It has already caused numerous outbreaks in Africa, in the regions located south of the Sahara. This article describes the main characteristics of this infectious disease as well as the currently available treatments, namely vaccines and antibodies. Antibodies are produced by the human body when it is infected by a microbe. Antibodies can be collected from the blood of infected humans or animals and purified or manufactured in a laboratory to produce drugs. While vaccines have demonstrated their effectiveness in preventing infectious diseases, antibodies are effective in stopping the progression of several infectious diseases. In this article, you will discover that the stimulation of the immune system, either by the vaccine or by antibodies, is essential to tackle Ebola virus disease.

scholarly journals Pre-Ebola virus disease laboratory system and related challenges in Liberia

2016 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephen B. Kennedy ◽  
John B. Dogba ◽  
Christine L. Wasunna ◽  
Philip Sahr ◽  
Candace B. Eastman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Infectious Diseases ◽  
Ebola Virus ◽  
Virus Disease ◽  
Emerging Infectious Diseases ◽  
Health Facilities ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Ebola Virus Disease ◽  
Reference Laboratory ◽  
Laboratory System ◽  
Human Resource Capacity

Prior to the Ebola virus disease outbreak in Liberia, the laboratory system was duplicativefragmented and minimally coordinated. The National Reference Laboratory was conceptualisedto address the existing challenges by promoting the implementation of effective and sustainablelaboratory services in Liberia. However, in a resource-limited environment such as Liberiaprogress regarding the rebuilding of the health system can be relatively slow, while efforts tosustain the transient gains remain a key challenge for the Ministry of Health. In this paper, wedescribe the pre-Ebola virus disease laboratory system in Liberia and its prevailing efforts toaddress future emerging infectious diseases, as well as current Infectious diseases, all of whichare exacerbated by poverty. We conclude that laboratory and diagnostic services in Liberiahave encountered numerous challenges regarding its efforts to strengthen the healthcaredelivery system. These challenges include limited trained human resource capacity, inadequateinfrastructure, and a lack of coordination. As with most countries in sub-Saharan Africa, whencomparing urban and rural settings, diagnostic and clinical services are generally skewedtoward urban health facilities and private, faith-based health facilities. We recommend thatstructured policy be directed at these challenges for national institutions to develop guidelinesto improve, strengthen and sustain diagnostic and curative laboratory services to effectivelyaddress current infectious diseases and prepare for future emerging and re-emerging infectiousdiseases.

scholarly journals Prediction of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) infestation trends across fruit bats migratory seasons

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jean Pierre NAMAHORO ◽  
Xiao Haijun
Keyword(s):  
Ebola Virus ◽  
Democratic Republic Of Congo ◽  
Virus Disease ◽  
Transmission Rate ◽  
Central Africa ◽  
Secondary Data ◽  
Ebola Virus Disease ◽  
Commodity Chain ◽  
Fruit Bats ◽  
Bivariate Correlation

Abstract Background : The majority of the rural populace of West and Central Africa participate actively in bushmeat commodity trade. The peak of this trade usually occurs during the migration of massive flocks of fruit bats. Unfortunately, this commercial period happens to coincides with the most conducive time for the spread of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) which is transmitted by these fruit bats. We, therefore, conducted this study to predict EVD infestation trend among individuals who might be vulnerable and/or infected (hunters, vendors, and consumers of bushmeat) as a result of this seasonal bats migration. Methods: A secondary data collected in Ghana and semi-structured questionnaires were administered to international students from 7 countries (Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Ghana, Liberia, Zambia, Gabon, Guinea, and Ivory-Coast) and responses collated were used in this study. Bivariate correlation, probabilistic transmission rate of EVD, and probabilistic model (P-SIR) were employed to predict susceptible and infected individuals. Results : In all affected countries, it was observed that; there was a yearly bats’ migration pattern. 80 % of all interviewees confirmed that hunting, trading and consuming of bats influenced the rapid spread of EVD. The bivariate correlation between fruit bats and people involved in the bushmeat commodity chain was significant (p < 0.05) and the probability of infected bats were equally significant across the sampled countries. The estimated probabilistic rate was between 0.0099 and 0.01120, while individuals susceptible to EVD were predicted to be approximately between 5 and 45 (hunters), 0-18 f(vendors), and 25-90 (consumers). Conclusion : The migratory season of fruit bats contributes to EVD transmission in the most affected countries. People should avoid bushmeat consumption or eradicate all activities leading to the interaction with fruit bats to reduce the spread of EVD (Ebola) especially during the migratory seasons. Policy-makers and government agencies should also put in mechanisms that will protect their citizens during the fruit bats season. Keywords : bushmeat commodity chain, Ebola, migration season, EVD, fruit bats

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