scholarly journals Assessing the determinants of Ebola virus disease transmission in Baka Community of the Tropical Rainforest of Cameroon

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Frankline Sevidzem Wirsiy ◽  
Alphonse Um Boock ◽  
Jane-Francis Tatah Kihla Akoachere
Keyword(s):  
High Risk ◽  
Medical Care ◽  
Disease Transmission ◽  
Ebola Virus ◽  
Virus Disease ◽  
Congo Basin ◽  
Ebola Virus Disease ◽  
Related Factors ◽  
Effective Prevention ◽  
Risk Of Exposure

Abstract Background Ebola virus disease (EVD) is a severe, often fatal illness in humans and nonhuman primates caused by the Ebola virus. The recently approved rVSV-EBOV vaccine is not available in many high-risk countries hence prevention is paramount. The design of effective prevention interventions requires an understanding of the factors that expose communities at risk. It was based on this that we investigated the Baka community of Abong-Mbang Health District in tropical rain forest of Cameroon. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted with participants randomly selected from 13 villages in Abong-Mbang by multi-stage cluster sampling. A questionnaire was administered to them to collect demographic information, data on knowledge of EVD, their feeding and health-seeking behaviour. Data was analyzed using the chi-square test. Knowledge of EVD was assessed using an 8 item Morisky Scale. An adapted Threat Capability Basic Risk Assessment Guide was used to determine their risk of exposure to infection. Results A total of 510 participants, most of whom were hunters (31.4%), farmers (29.8%), and had primary education (62.7%), were included in this study. Although 83.3% participants had heard of EVD, most (71%) did not know its cause. Their source of information was mainly informal discussions in the community (49%). Misconceptions were identified with regards to the cause and mode of transmission. Only 43.1% accepted EVD could be transmitted from human-to-human. Generally, participants’ knowledge of EVD was poor. Demographic factors such as level of education, occupation and ethnic group significantly affected knowledge of EVD. The majority of participants were at a very high risk of exposure to infection as they consumed various forms of bush meat and were involved in other risky practices such as scarification and touching of corpses. Although over half of participants seek medical care, most of them preferred traditional medicine. Socio-cultural and service-related factors were deterrent factors to medical care. Conclusion Participants generally had poor knowledge of EVD and were at high risk of infection. We recommend rigorous sensitization campaigns in the study area to educate the population on EVD and clarify the misconceptions identified. EVD surveillance is recommended particularly as outbreaks have often been reported in the Congo Basin.

scholarly journals Assessing the determinants of Ebola Virus Disease Transmission in Baka Community of the Tropical Rainforest of Cameroon

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Frankline Sevidzem Wirsiy ◽  
Alphonse Um Bock ◽  
Jane-Francis Kihla Tatah Akoachere
Keyword(s):  
High Risk ◽  
Medical Care ◽  
Disease Transmission ◽  
Ebola Virus ◽  
Virus Disease ◽  
Congo Basin ◽  
Ebola Virus Disease ◽  
Related Factors ◽  
Effective Prevention ◽  
Risk Of Exposure

Abstract Background: Ebola virus disease (EVD) is a severe, often fatal illness in humans and nonhuman primates caused by the Ebola virus. The recently approved rVSV-EBOV vaccine is not available in many high-risk countries hence prevention is paramount. Design of effective prevention interventions requires an understanding of the factors that expose communities at risk. It was based on this that we investigated the Baka community of Abong-Mbang Health District in tropical rain forest of Cameroon.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with participants randomly selected from 13 villages in Abong-Mbang by multi-stage cluster sampling. A questionnaire was administered to them to collect demographic information, data on knowledge of EVD, their feeding and health-seeking behaviour. Data was analyzed using the chi-square test. Knowledge of EVD was assessed using an 8 item Morisky Scale. An adapted Threat Capability Basic Risk Assessment Guide was used to determine their risk of exposure to infection.Results: A total of 510 participants, most of whom were hunters (31.4%), farmers (29.8%), and had primary education (62.7%), were included in this study. Although 83.3% participants had heard of EVD, most (71%) did not know its cause. Their source of information was mainly informal discussions in the community (49%). Misconceptions were identified with regards to the cause and mode of transmission. Only 43.1% accepted EVD could be transmitted from human-to-human. Generally, participants’ knowledge of EVD was poor. Demographic factors such as level of education, occupation and ethnic group significantly affected knowledge of EVD. The majority of participants were at a very high risk of exposure to infection as they consumed various forms of bush meat and were involved in other risky practices such as scarification and touching of corpses. Although over half of participants seek medical care, most of them preferred traditional medicine. Socio-cultural and service-related factors were deterrent factors to medical care. Conclusion: Participants generally had poor knowledge of EVD and were at high risk of infection. We recommend rigorous sensitization campaigns in the study area to educate the population on EVD and clarify the misconceptions identified. EVD surveillance is recommended particularly as outbreaks have often been reported in the Congo Basin

scholarly journals Assessing the determinants of Ebola Virus Disease Transmission in Baka Community of the Tropical Rainforest of Cameroon

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Frankline Sevidzem Wirsiy ◽  
Alphonse Um Bock ◽  
Jane-Francis Kihla Tatah Akoachere
Keyword(s):  
High Risk ◽  
Medical Care ◽  
Disease Transmission ◽  
Ebola Virus ◽  
Virus Disease ◽  
Congo Basin ◽  
Ebola Virus Disease ◽  
Related Factors ◽  
Effective Prevention ◽  
Risk Of Exposure

Abstract Background: Ebola virus disease (EVD) is a severe, often fatal illness in humans and nonhuman primates caused by the Ebola virus. Treatment and vaccine are under development, hence prevention is paramount. Design of effective prevention interventions requires an understanding of the factors that expose communities at risk. It was based on this that we investigated the Baka community of Abong-Mbang Health District in tropical rain forest of Cameroon. Methods : A cross-sectional study was conducted with participants randomly selected from 13 villages in Abong-Mbang by multi-stage cluster sampling. A questionnaire was administered to them to collect demographic information, data on knowledge of EVD, their feeding and health-seeking behaviour. Data was analyzed using the chi-square test. Knowledge of EVD was assessed using an 8 item Morisky Scale. An adapted Threat Capability Basic Risk Assessment Guide was used to determine their risk of exposure to infection. Results: A total of 510 participants, most of whom were hunters (31.4%), farmers (29.8%), and had primary education (62.7%), were included in this study. Although 83.3% participants had heard of EVD, most (71%) did not know its cause. Their source of information was mainly informal discussions in the community (49%). Misconceptions were identified with regards to knowledge on the cause and mode of transmission. Only 43.1% accepted EVD could be transmitted from human-to-human. Generally, participants’ knowledge of EVD was poor. Demographic factors such as level of education, occupation and ethnic group significantly affected knowledge of EVD. The majority of participants were at a very high risk of exposure to infection as they consumed various forms of bush meat and were involved in other risky practices such as scarification and touching of corpses. Although over half of participants seek medical care, most of them preferred traditional medicine. Socio-cultural and service-related factors were deterrent factors to medical care. Conclusion: Participants generally had poor knowledge of EVD and were at high risk of to infection. We recommend rigorous sensitization campaigns in study area to educate the population on EVD and clarify the misconceptions identified. EVD surveillance is recommended particularly as outbreaks have often been reported in the Congo Basin.

scholarly journals Assessing the determinants of Ebola Virus Disease Transmission in Baka Community of the Tropical Rainforest of Cameroon

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Frankline Sevidzem Wirsiy ◽  
Alphonse Um Bock ◽  
Jane-Francis Kihla Tatah Akoachere
Keyword(s):  
High Risk ◽  
Medical Care ◽  
Disease Transmission ◽  
Ebola Virus ◽  
Virus Disease ◽  
Congo Basin ◽  
Ebola Virus Disease ◽  
Related Factors ◽  
Effective Prevention ◽  
Risk Of Exposure

Abstract Background: Ebola virus disease (EVD) is a severe, often fatal illness in humans and nonhuman primates caused by the Ebola virus. Treatment and vaccine are under development, hence prevention is paramount. Design of effective prevention interventions requires an understanding of the factors that expose communities at risk. It was based on this that we investigated the Baka community (Pygmies) of Abong-Mbang Health District in tropical rain forest of Cameroon.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with participants randomly selected from13 villages in Abong-Mbang by multi-stage cluster sampling. A questionnaire was administered to them to collected demographic information, data on knowledge of EVD, their feeding and health-seeking behaviour. Data was analyzed using the chi-square test. Knowledge of EVD was assessed using an 8 item Morisky Scale. An adapted Threat Capability Basic Risk Assessment Guide was used to determine their risk of exposure to infection.Results: A total of 510 participants, most of who were hunters (31.4%), farmers (29.8%), and had primary education (62.7%), were included in this study. Although 83.3% participants had heard of EVD, most did not know its cause. Their source of information was mainly informal discussions in the community (49%). Misconceptions were identified with regards to knowledge on the cause and mode of transmission. Only 43.1% accepted EVD could be transmitted from human-to-human. Generally, participants’ knowledge on EVD was poor. Demographic factors such as level of education, occupation and ethnic group significantly affected knowledge on EVD. The majority of participants were at a very high risk of exposure to infection as they consumed various forms of bush meat and were involved in other risky practices as scarification and touching of corpses. Although over half of participants seek medical care, most of them preferred traditional medicine. Socio-cultural and service related factors were deterrent factors to medical care. Conclusion: Participants generally had poor knowledge of EVD and were at high risk of to infection. We recommend rigorous sensitization campaigns in study area to educate the population on EVD and clarify the misconceptions identified. EVD surveillance is recommended particularly as outbreaks continue to be reported in the Congo Basin

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 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 Long-term wildlife mortality surveillance in northern Congo: a model for the detection of Ebola virus disease epizootics

2019 ◽  
Vol 374 (1782) ◽  
pp. 20180339 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eeva Kuisma ◽  
Sarah H. Olson ◽  
Kenneth N. Cameron ◽  
Patricia E. Reed ◽  
William B. Karesh ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ebola Virus ◽  
Virus Disease ◽  
Behavioural Change ◽  
Disease Outbreaks ◽  
Great Apes ◽  
Congo Basin ◽  
Ebola Virus Disease ◽  
Educational Outreach ◽  
Mortality Surveillance ◽  
Wildlife Mortality

Ebolavirus (EBOV) has caused disease outbreaks taking thousands of lives, costing billions of dollars in control efforts and threatening great ape populations. EBOV ecology is not fully understood but infected wildlife and consumption of animal carcasses have been linked to human outbreaks, especially in the Congo Basin. Partnering with the Congolese Ministry of Health, we conducted wildlife mortality surveillance and educational outreach in the northern Republic of Congo (RoC). Designed for EBOV detection and to alert public health authorities, we established a low-cost wildlife mortality reporting network covering 50 000 km 2 . Simultaneously, we delivered educational outreach promoting behavioural change to over 6600 people in rural northern RoC. We achieved specimen collection by training project staff on a safe sampling protocol and equipping geographically distributed bases with sampling kits. We established in-country diagnostics for EBOV testing, reducing diagnostic turnaround time to 3 days and demonstrated the absence of EBOV in 58 carcasses. Central Africa remains a high-risk EBOV region, but RoC, home to the largest remaining populations of great apes, has not had an epidemic since 2005. This effort continues to function as an untested early warning system in RoC, where people and great apes have died from past Ebola virus disease outbreaks. This article is part of the theme issue ‘Dynamic and integrative approaches to understanding pathogen spillover’.

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