scholarly journals Filovirus Disease Outbreaks: A Chronological Overview

2019 ◽  
Vol 10 ◽  
pp. 1178122X1984992 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sylvester Languon ◽  
Osbourne Quaye
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Ebola Virus ◽  
Species Conservation ◽  
Disease Outbreaks ◽  
Policy Decision ◽  
Marburg Virus ◽  
Decision Makers ◽  
The Past ◽  
Concise Overview ◽  
Index Cases

Filoviruses cause outbreaks which lead to high fatality in humans and non-human primates, thus tagging them as major threats to public health and species conservation. In this review, we give account of index cases responsible for filovirus disease outbreaks that have occurred over the past 52 years in a chronological fashion, by describing the circumstances that led to the outbreaks, and how each of the outbreaks broke out. Since the discovery of Marburg virus and Ebola virus in 1967 and 1976, respectively, more than 40 filovirus disease outbreaks have been reported; majority of which have occurred in Africa. The chronological presentation of this review is to provide a concise overview of filovirus disease outbreaks since the discovery of the viruses, and highlight the patterns in the occurrence of the outbreaks. This review will help researchers to better appreciate the need for surveillance, especially in areas where there have been no filovirus disease outbreaks. We conclude by summarizing some recommendations that have been proposed by health and policy decision makers over the years.

Improving Legal Competencies for Obesity Prevention and Control

2009 ◽  
Vol 37 (S1) ◽  
pp. 76-89
Author(s):  
Sheila Fleischhacker ◽  
Alice Ammerman ◽  
Wendy Collins Perdue ◽  
Joan Miles ◽  
Sarah Roller ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Obesity Prevention ◽  
Prevention And Control ◽  
Policy Decision ◽  
Decision Makers ◽  
Robert Wood Johnson Foundation ◽  
Health Practitioners ◽  
American Society ◽  
Public Health Practitioners ◽  
And Control

This paper is one of four interrelated papers resulting from the National Summit on Legal Preparedness for Obesity Prevention and Control (Summit) convened in June 2008 by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, and the American Society of Law, Medicine, Ethics. Each of the papers deals with one of the four core elements of legal preparedness: (1) laws and legal authorities for public health practitioners; (2) legal competencies public health practitioners and legal and policy decision makers need for use of these laws and authorities; (3) crossdisciplinary and cross-jurisdiction coordination of law-based public health actions; and (4) information on public health law best practices. Collectively, they are referenced as the “white papers.”Our purpose is to offer action options that will help to improve the legal competencies of public health practitioners and policy decision makers with respect to drafting, interpreting.

scholarly journals Offering patients more: how the West Africa Ebola outbreak can shape innovation in therapeutic research for emerging and epidemic infections

2017 ◽  
Vol 372 (1721) ◽  
pp. 20160294 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amanda M. Rojek ◽  
Peter W. Horby
Keyword(s):  
West Africa ◽  
Ebola Virus ◽  
Virus Disease ◽  
Nipah Virus ◽  
Emerging Infectious Diseases ◽  
Disease Outbreaks ◽  
International Travel ◽  
Marburg Virus ◽  
World Health ◽  
The West

Although, after an epidemic of over 28 000 cases, there are still no licensed treatments for Ebola virus disease (EVD), significant progress was made during the West Africa outbreak. The pace of pre-clinical development was exceptional and a number of therapeutic clinical trials were conducted in the face of considerable challenges. Given the on-going risk of emerging infectious disease outbreaks in an era of unprecedented population density, international travel and human impact on the environment it is pertinent to focus on improving the research and development landscape for treatments of emerging and epidemic-prone infections. This is especially the case since there are no licensed therapeutics for some of the diseases considered by the World Health Organization as most likely to cause severe outbreaks—including Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus, Marburg virus, Crimean Congo haemorrhagic fever and Nipah virus. EVD, therefore, provides a timely exemplar to discuss the barriers, enablers and incentives needed to find effective treatments in advance of health emergencies caused by emerging infectious diseases. This article is part of the themed issue ‘The 2013–2016 West African Ebola epidemic: data, decision-making and disease control’.

Ebola and Other Filoviruses

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lisa M. Bebell
Keyword(s):  
Ebola Virus ◽  
Inflammatory Responses ◽  
Virus Disease ◽  
Treatment Strategies ◽  
Disease Outbreaks ◽  
Marburg Virus ◽  
Residual Effects ◽  
Long Term Outcomes ◽  
Pediatric Vaccination

Congenital and pediatric Ebola virus disease (EVD) and Marburg virus disease (MVD) are severe, even lethal infections. Historically, children have been underrepresented in filovirus disease outbreaks, and evidence-based treatment strategies are lacking. Existing data suggest that case fatalities are highest among children under four years of age, which is partially explained by higher virus concentrations in young children. Prevention and aggressive resuscitation, nutrition, and supportive care are the mainstays of management until filovirus-specific therapies can be developed. Differences in pediatric immune and inflammatory responses may necessitate unique approaches to pediatric vaccination and treatment. There are minimal safety or immunogenicity data in children, a crucial knowledge gap that must be addressed in future trials. Studying pediatric survivors of the 2014–2016 West Africa EVD outbreak will provide much-needed data on long-term outcomes and residual effects of filovirus disease while we await effective filovirus-specific vaccines and therapies.

scholarly journals To what extent does evidence support decision making during infectious disease outbreaks? A scoping literature review

2020 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 453-475 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andreea Salajan ◽  
Svetla Tsolova ◽  
Massimo Ciotti ◽  
Jonathan E. Suk
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Infectious Disease ◽  
Decision Making ◽  
Disease Outbreaks ◽  
Decision Makers ◽  
Expert Advice ◽  
Scientific Uncertainty ◽  
Infectious Disease Outbreaks ◽  
Decision Making Processes

Background:Infectious disease outbreaks require decision makers to make rapid decisions under time pressure and situations of scientific uncertainty, and yet the role of evidence usage in these contexts is poorly understood. Aims and objectives:To define and contextualise the role of scientific evidence in the governance of infectious disease outbreaks and to identify recommendations for overcoming common barriers to evidence-informed decision making. Methods:A scoping review and an expert workshop to provide additional input into recommendations on enhancing evidence uptake during infectious disease outbreaks taking place in European settings. Findings:Forty-nine records reporting on multiple decision-making processes during infectious disease outbreaks of the past ten years were included in the study. Decision makers prioritise expert advice, epidemiological data and mathematical modelling data for risk characterisation and management, but tend to be challenged by scientific uncertainties, which allow for conflicting interpretations of evidence and for public criticism and contestation of decision-making processes. There are concrete opportunities for optimising evidence usage to improve public health policy and practice through investment in decision-making competencies, relationship building, and promoting transparent decision-making processes. Discussion and conclusions:It is not necessarily a disregard of evidence that puts a strain on decision making in health crises, but rather competing interests and the lack of clear, unambiguous and rapidly available evidence for risk characterisation and effectiveness of response measures.The relationship between science and public health decision making is relatively understudied but is deserving of greater attention, so as to ensure that the pursuit of evidence for decision making does not challenge timely and effective crisis management.

Which Lessons Matter?: American Foreign Policy Decision Making in the Middle East, 1979–1987. By Christopher R. Hemmer. Albany, NY: SUNY Press, 2000. 217p. $17.95 cloth, $55.50 paper.

2002 ◽  
Vol 96 (3) ◽  
pp. 686-687
Author(s):  
William B. Quandt
Keyword(s):  
Foreign Policy ◽  
American Foreign Policy ◽  
World Trade Center ◽  
Policy Decision ◽  
Decision Makers ◽  
World Trade Center Attack ◽  
The Past ◽  
The World ◽  
Trade Center ◽  
Policy Decision Making

At least since Ernest May's influential (1973) ‘Lessons’ of the Past, students of American foreign policy have been conscious of the powerful hold that some analogies seem to have on the minds of decision makers. All of us can think of “Munich” and “Vietnam” as shorthand for a whole series of judgments that we rely on to work through the maze of foreign policy calculus. In the aftermath of the World Trade Center attack in September 2001, we heard reference to “Pearl Harbor.” And we can now anticipate that “9-11” will take its place as a marker for a set of lessons concerning the struggle against terrorism.

scholarly journals Modeling the role of public health education in Ebola virus disease outbreaks in Sudan

2017 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
pp. 323-340 ◽  
Author(s):  
Benjamin Levy ◽  
Christina Edholm ◽  
Orou Gaoue ◽  
Roselyn Kaondera-Shava ◽  
Moatlhodi Kgosimore ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health Education ◽  
Ebola Virus ◽  
Virus Disease ◽  
Disease Outbreaks ◽  
Public Health Education ◽  
Ebola Virus Disease

scholarly journals Parallel Outbreaks of Deadly Pathogens (SARS-CoV-2, H5N8, EVD, Black fungi) around the World in 2021: Priorities for Achieving Control with Socio-Economic and Public Health Impact

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Afroza Khan ◽  
Nayeema Talukde Ema ◽  
Nadira Naznin Rakhi ◽  
Otun Saha ◽  
Md. Mizanur Rahaman
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Clinical Management ◽  
Influenza A ◽  
Ebola Virus ◽  
Virus Disease ◽  
Health Impact ◽  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
Point Of View ◽  
The Past ◽  
Past Experiences

Concurrent waves of Coronavirus disease, Ebola virus disease, avian influenza A and black fungus are jeopardizing the lives in some parts of Africa and Asia. From this point of view, this review aims to summarize both socio-economic and public health implications of these parallel outbreaks along with their best possible management approaches. Various online databases were used to collect the necessary information regarding these outbreaks. Based on the reports published and analyses done so far, the long-lasting damages caused by these simultaneous outbreaks on global socio-economical and public health status can be conceived from the past experiences of outbreaks, especially the COVID-19 pandemic. Moreover, prolonged restrictions by the local government may lead to food insecurity, global recession, and an enormous impact on the mental health of people of all ages, specifically in developing countries. Such overwhelming effects already have been reported to be declining national growth of the economy as well as increasing political insecurity and shortage of basic needs. Although various actions have already been taken including vaccination, clinical management, and further research, social distancing, and lockdown, etc. to improve the situation, the emerging variants and associated genetic mutations may make the containment difficult worsening the situation again. Considering the current mutational dynamics of the pathogens and the past experiences, perpetual preparedness along with updated clinical management backed by epidemiological studies and innovating scientific effort are inevitable to combat the simultaneous waves of multiple infectious diseases.

EURRECA’s Approach for Estimating Micronutrient Requirements

2011 ◽  
Vol 81 (4) ◽  
pp. 256-263 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christophe Matthys ◽  
Pieter van ‘t Veer ◽  
Lisette de Groot ◽  
Lee Hooper ◽  
Adriënne E.J.M. Cavelaars ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Reference Values ◽  
Policy Decision ◽  
Individual Variability ◽  
The Body ◽  
Decision Makers ◽  
Nutrient Requirements ◽  
Factorial Approach ◽  
Dietary Reference Values ◽  
Health Policy Decision ◽  
Quantitative Integration

In Europe, micronutrient dietary reference values have been established by (inter)national committees of experts and are used by public health policy decision-makers to monitor and assess the adequacy of diets within population groups. The approaches used to derive dietary reference values (including average requirements) vary considerably across countries, and so far no evidence-based reason has been identified for this variation. Nutrient requirements are traditionally based on the minimum amount of a nutrient needed by an individual to avoid deficiency, and is defined by the body’s physiological needs. Alternatively the requirement can be defined as the intake at which health is optimal, including the prevention of chronic diet-related diseases. Both approaches are confronted with many challenges (e. g., bioavailability, inter and intra-individual variability). EURRECA has derived a transparent approach for the quantitative integration of evidence on Intake-Status-Health associations and/or Factorial approach (including bioavailability) estimates. To facilitate the derivation of dietary reference values, EURopean micronutrient RECommendations Aligned (EURRECA) is developing a process flow chart to guide nutrient requirement-setting bodies through the process of setting dietary reference values, which aims to facilitate the scientific alignment of deriving these values.

LGBTQ Intimate Partner Violence

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adam M. Messinger
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Intimate Partner Violence ◽  
Partner Violence ◽  
Intimate Partner ◽  
Sexual Relationships ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Policy Practice ◽  
The Past ◽  
Victim Services ◽  
Public Health Threat

Many nations today recognize intimate partner violence (IPV) in romantic-sexual relationships as a major public health threat, yet not all victims are treated equally. Contrary to myths, lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans*, and queer (LGBTQ) people are more likely to experience IPV than heterosexual-cisgender people. Unfortunately, LGBTQ victims face major barriers to reaching safety in a world that too often stigmatizes their identities and overlooks their relationships when forming victim services and policies. Offering a roadmap forward, LGBTQ Intimate Partner Violence: Lessons for Policy, Practice, and Research is the first book to synthesize nearly all existing research from the past forty years on this pressing issue. At once highly organized and engaging, it provides evidence-based tips for academic and nonacademic audiences alike.

scholarly journals Expert Advisory Groups: Exploring the Sensemaking Proces s During a Public Health C risis R esponse

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Iva Seto ◽  
David Johnstone ◽  
Jennifer Campbell-Meier
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Decision Makers ◽  
Process Information ◽  
Unexpected Event ◽  
Health Crisis ◽  
Creation Process ◽  
Public Health Crisis ◽  
Advisory Groups ◽  
Expert Advisory ◽  
Meaning Creation

In a public health crisis, experts (such as epidemiologists, public health officers, physicians and virologists) support key decision  makers with advice in a highly dynamic, pressured,  and time-sensitive context. Experts must process information (to provide advice) as quickly as possible, yet this must be balanced with ensuring the information is credible, reliable,  and relevant. When an unexpected event occurs, it may lead to a gap between what is  experienced and what was expected; sensemaking is a meaning creation process which is engaged to fill the gap. This research explores how experts engage in sensemaking during a  public health crisis.

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