scholarly journals Lessons learned from implementation of a national hotline for Ebola virus disease emergency preparedness in South Sudan

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Velma K. Lopez ◽  
Sharmila Shetty ◽  
Angelo Thon Kouch ◽  
Matthew Tut Khol ◽  
Richard Lako ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Preparedness ◽  
Ebola Virus ◽  
Virus Disease ◽  
South Sudan ◽  
Clinical Signs ◽  
Signs And Symptoms ◽  
Case Definition ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Ebola Virus Disease ◽  
Humanitarian Emergency

Abstract Background The world’s second largest Ebola outbreak occurred in the Democratic Republic of Congo from 2018 to 2020. At the time, risk of cross-border spread into South Sudan was very high. Thus, the South Sudan Ministry of Health scaled up Ebola preparedness activities in August 2018, including implementation of a 24-h, toll-free Ebola virus disease (EVD) hotline. The primary purpose was the hotline was to receive EVD alerts and the secondary goal was to provide evidence-based EVD messages to the public. Methods To assess whether the hotline augmented Ebola preparedness activities in a protracted humanitarian emergency context, we reviewed 22 weeks of call logs from January to June 2019. Counts and percentages were calculated for all available data. Results The hotline received 2114 calls during the analysis period, and an additional 1835 missed calls were documented. Callers used the hotline throughout 24-h of the day and were most often men and individuals living in Jubek state, where the national capital is located. The leading reasons for calling were to learn more about EVD (68%) or to report clinical signs or symptoms (16%). Common EVD-related questions included EVD signs and symptoms, transmission, and prevention. Only one call was documented as an EVD alert, and there was no documentation of reported symptoms or whether the person met the EVD case definition. Conclusions Basic surveillance information was not collected from callers. To trigger effective outbreak investigation from hotline calls, the hotline should capture who is reporting and from where, symptoms and travel history, and whether this information should be further investigated. Electronic data capture will enhance data quality and availability of information for review. Additionally, the magnitude of missed calls presents a major challenge. When calls are answered, there is potential to provide health communication, so risk communication needs should be considered. However, prior to hotline implementation, governments should critically assess whether their hotline would yield actionable data and if other data sources for surveillance or community concerns are available.

scholarly journals Analyses of the performance of the Ebola virus disease alert management system in South Sudan: August 2018 to November 2019

2020 ◽  
Vol 14 (11) ◽  
pp. e0008872
Author(s):  
Olushayo Oluseun Olu ◽  
Richard Lako ◽  
Sudhir Bunga ◽  
Kibebu Berta ◽  
Matthew Kol ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Management System ◽  
Ebola Virus ◽  
Health Workers ◽  
Virus Disease ◽  
South Sudan ◽  
Case Definition ◽  
Rapid Response ◽  
Ebola Virus Disease ◽  
Rapid Response Teams ◽  
Cross Sectional

South Sudan implemented Ebola virus disease preparedness interventions aiming at preventing and rapidly containing any importation of the virus from the Democratic Republic of Congo starting from August 2018. One of these interventions was a surveillance system which included an Ebola alert management system. This study analyzed the performance of this system. A descriptive cross-sectional study of the Ebola virus disease alerts which were reported in South Sudan from August 2018 to November 2019 was conducted using both quantitative and qualitative methods. As of 30 November 2019, a total of 107 alerts had been detected in the country out of which 51 (47.7%) met the case definition and were investigated with blood samples collected for laboratory confirmation. Most (81%) of the investigated alerts were South Sudanese nationals. The alerts were identified by health workers (53.1%) at health facilities, at the community (20.4%) and by screeners at the points of entry (12.2%). Most of the investigated alerts were detected from the high-risk states of Gbudwe (46.9%), Jubek (16.3%) and Torit (10.2%). The investigated alerts commonly presented with fever, bleeding, headache and vomiting. The median timeliness for deployment of Rapid Response Team was less than one day and significantly different between the 6-month time periods (K-W = 7.7567; df = 2; p = 0.0024) from 2018 to 2019. Strengths of the alert management system included existence of a dedicated national alert hotline, case definition for alerts and rapid response teams while the weaknesses were occasional inability to access the alert toll-free hotline and lack of transport for deployment of the rapid response teams which often constrain quick response. This study demonstrates that the Ebola virus disease alert management system in South Sudan was fully functional despite the associated challenges and provides evidence to further improve Ebola preparedness in the country.

scholarly journals Implementation of a study to examine the persistence of Ebola virus in the body fluids of Ebola virus disease survivors in Sierra Leone: Methodology and lessons learned

2017 ◽  
Vol 11 (9) ◽  
pp. e0005723 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gibrilla Fadlu Deen ◽  
Suzanna L. R. McDonald ◽  
Jaclyn E. Marrinan ◽  
Foday R. Sesay ◽  
Elizabeth Ervin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sierra Leone ◽  
Ebola Virus ◽  
Virus Disease ◽  
Body Fluids ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
The Body ◽  
Ebola Virus Disease

Ebola Virus Disease - clinical manifestations, management and future therapies

2019 ◽  
Vol 105 (2) ◽  
pp. 113-120
Author(s):  
D O’Brien ◽  
M K O’Shea ◽  
T E Fletcher
Keyword(s):  
Ebola Virus ◽  
Virus Disease ◽  
Clinical Manifestations ◽  
Armed Forces ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
The Body ◽  
Ebola Virus Disease ◽  
International Response ◽  
The Uk ◽  
Specific Symptoms

AbstractThe largest epidemic of Ebola Virus Disease in recorded human history occurred in West Africa in 2014 and resulted in significant morbidity and mortality. The causative pathogen, Ebola virus, is readily transmitted through contact with the body fluids of infected individuals and from the bodies of those who have died from the disease. In its early stages, the illness is characterised by non-specific symptoms that mimic many other endemic infectious diseases in countries with limited healthcare resources. These factors contributed to the rapid spread of the outbreak, which required an international response in which the UK Armed Forces played an important role. This review describes the clinical presentation, lessons learned from managing the West African outbreak, and potential future treatments.

scholarly journals Peripheral Neuronopathy Associated With Ebola Virus Infection in Rhesus Macaques: A Possible Cause of Neurological Signs and Symptoms in Human Ebola Patients

2020 ◽  
Vol 222 (10) ◽  
pp. 1745-1755
Author(s):  
David X Liu ◽  
Donna L Perry ◽  
Timothy K Cooper ◽  
Louis M Huzella ◽  
Randy J Hart ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ebola Virus ◽  
Neuronal Degeneration ◽  
Virus Disease ◽  
Rhesus Macaques ◽  
Signs And Symptoms ◽  
Ebola Virus Disease ◽  
Target Cells ◽  
Neurological Signs ◽  
Enteric Ganglia ◽  
Transmission Electron

Abstract Neurological signs and symptoms are the most common complications of Ebola virus disease. However, the mechanisms underlying the neurologic manifestations in Ebola patients are not known. In this study, peripheral ganglia were collected from 12 rhesus macaques that succumbed to Ebola virus (EBOV) disease from 5 to 8 days post exposure. Ganglionitis, characterized by neuronal degeneration, necrosis, and mononuclear leukocyte infiltrates, was observed in the dorsal root, autonomic, and enteric ganglia. By immunohistochemistry, RNAscope in situ hybridization, transmission electron microscopy, and confocal microscopy, we confirmed that CD68+ macrophages are the target cells for EBOV in affected ganglia. Further, we demonstrated that EBOV can induce satellite cell and neuronal apoptosis and microglial activation in infected ganglia. Our results demonstrate that EBOV can infect peripheral ganglia and results in ganglionopathy in rhesus macaques, which may contribute to the neurological signs and symptoms observed in acute and convalescent Ebola virus disease in human patients.

scholarly journals Postnatally Acquired Zika Virus Disease Among Children, United States, 2016–2017

2019 ◽  
Vol 70 (2) ◽  
pp. 227-231 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicole P Lindsey ◽  
Charsey C Porse ◽  
Emily Potts ◽  
Judie Hyun ◽  
Kayleigh Sandhu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Zika Virus ◽  
Virus Disease ◽  
Healthcare Providers ◽  
Clinical Signs ◽  
Virus Transmission ◽  
Signs And Symptoms ◽  
Clinical Findings ◽  
Case Definition ◽  
Illness Onset ◽  
Clinical Signs And Symptoms

Abstract Background The clinical findings among children with postnatally acquired Zika virus disease are not well characterized. We describe and compare clinical signs and symptoms for children aged <18 years. Methods Zika virus disease cases were included if they met the national surveillance case definition, had illness onset in 2016 or 2017, resided in a participating state, and were reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Pediatric cases were aged <18 years; congenital and perinatal infections were excluded. Pediatric cases were matched to adult cases (18‒49 years). Clinical information was compared between younger and older pediatric cases and between children and adults. Results A total of 141 pediatric Zika virus disease cases were identified; none experienced neurologic disease. Overall, 28 (20%) were treated in an emergency department, 1 (<1%) was hospitalized; none died. Of the 4 primary clinical signs and symptoms associated with Zika virus disease, 133 (94%) children had rash, 104 (74%) fever, 67 (48%) arthralgia, and 51 (36%) conjunctivitis. Fever, arthralgia, and myalgia were more common in older children (12‒17 years) than younger children (1‒11 years). Arthralgia, arthritis, edema, and myalgia were more common in adults compared to children. Conclusions This report supports previous findings that Zika virus disease is generally mild in children. The most common symptoms are similar to other childhood infections, and clinical findings and outcomes are similar to those in adults. Healthcare providers should consider a diagnosis of Zika virus infection in children with fever, rash, arthralgia, or conjunctivitis, who reside in or have traveled to an area where Zika virus transmission is occurring.

Clinical Features, Case Definition and Clinical Management of Ebola Virus Disease

2018 ◽  
pp. 9-17
Author(s):  
Marta Lado ◽  
Colin S. Brown ◽  
Naomi F. Walker ◽  
Daniel Youkee ◽  
Oliver Johnson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Clinical Features ◽  
Clinical Management ◽  
Ebola Virus ◽  
Virus Disease ◽  
Case Definition ◽  
Ebola Virus Disease

Participatory Monitoring and Evaluation of Ebola Response Activities in Lofa County, Liberia: Some Lessons Learned

2019 ◽  
Vol 40 (1) ◽  
pp. 57-66
Author(s):  
Ithar Hassaballa ◽  
Stephen Fawcett ◽  
Charles Sepers ◽  
Florence DiGennaro Reed ◽  
Jerry Schultz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Evaluation System ◽  
Quantitative Methods ◽  
Ebola Virus ◽  
Virus Disease ◽  
Monitoring And Evaluation ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Ebola Virus Disease ◽  
World Health ◽  
Response Effort ◽  
Participatory Monitoring

To address the Ebola outbreak in West Africa, the World Health Organization and the United Nations Children’s Fund led a multilevel and multisectoral intervention known as the Ebola response effort. Although surveillance systems were able to detect reduction in Ebola incidence, there was little understanding of the implemented activities within affected areas. To address this gap, this empirical case study examined (a) implementation of Ebola response activities and associated bending the curve of incidence of Ebola virus disease and (b) candidate factors associated with fuller implementation of the Ebola response effort. A mix of qualitative and quantitative methods were used to address these questions. A participatory monitoring and evaluation system was used to capture, code, characterize, and communicate nearly a hundred Ebola response activities implemented in Lofa County, a highly affected area in Liberia. The Ebola response effort was enabled by community engagement and collaboration across different sectors. Results showed fuller implementation corresponded with a marked reduction in Ebola virus disease. This report concludes with a discussion of how monitoring and evaluation can strengthen implementation of activities needed to address disease outbreaks.

scholarly journals Ocular Manifestations of Ebola Virus Disease: An Ophthalmologist’s Guide to Prevent Infection and Panic

2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Enzo Maria Vingolo ◽  
Giuseppe Alessio Messano ◽  
Serena Fragiotta ◽  
Leopoldo Spadea ◽  
Stefano Petti
Keyword(s):  
Ebola Virus ◽  
Virus Disease ◽  
Clinical Signs ◽  
Case Fatality ◽  
Hemorrhagic Fever ◽  
Ebola Virus Disease ◽  
Ocular Manifestations ◽  
Ebola Hemorrhagic Fever ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
The Moment

Ebola virus disease (EVD—formerly known as Ebola hemorrhagic fever) is a severe hemorrhagic fever caused by lipid-enveloped, nonsegmented, negative-stranded RNA viruses belonging to the genusEbolavirus. Case fatality rates may reach up to 76% of infected individuals, making this infection a deadly health problem in the sub-Saharan population. At the moment, there are still no indications on ophthalmological clinical signs and security suggestions for healthcare professionals (doctors and nurses or cooperative persons). This paper provides a short but complete guide to reduce infection risks.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document