The 1995 Kikwit Ebola outbreak—Model of virus properties on system capacity and function: A lesson for future viral epidemics

2007 ◽  
Vol 2 (5) ◽  
pp. 270-276 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ryan C.W. Hall, MD ◽  
Richard C.W. Hall, MD
Keyword(s):  
Ebola Virus ◽  
Democratic Republic ◽  
Healthcare Providers ◽  
Hospital Setting ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
System Capacity ◽  
Voluntary Organizations ◽  
Disease Characteristics ◽  
Republic Of The Congo ◽  
And Function

The 1995 Kikwit Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo is one of the first Ebola outbreaks to be treated in a hospital setting and is one of the most well-studied Ebola epidemics to have occurred to date. Many of the lessons learned from identifying, containing, and treating the epidemic are applicable to future viral outbreaks. This article looks at the characteristics of the Ebola virus and health system issues, which affected the healthcare providers’ ability to contain and treat the virus. It specifically examines factors such as the disease characteristics, surge capacity, supply issues, press involvement, and the involvement of voluntary organizations.

scholarly journals Marginalisation, Ebola and Health for All: From Outbreak to Lessons Learned

2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (17) ◽  
pp. 3023 ◽  
Author(s):  
Clare Shelley-Egan ◽  
Jim Dratwa
Keyword(s):  
West Africa ◽  
Ebola Virus ◽  
Democratic Republic ◽  
Cultural Practices ◽  
Virus Disease ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
The Past ◽  
Multiple Dimensions ◽  
Republic Of The Congo ◽  
Main Components

The Ebola epidemic in West Africa between 2014 and 2015 was the deadliest since the discovery of the virus four decades ago. With the second-largest outbreak of Ebola virus disease currently raging in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, (DRC) it is clear that lessons from the past can be quickly forgotten—or be incomplete in the first instance. In this article, we seek to understand the health challenges facing marginalised people by elaborating on the multiple dimensions of marginalisation in the case of the West Africa Ebola epidemic. We trace and unpack modes of marginalisation, beginning with the “outbreak narrative” and its main components and go on to examine other framings, including the prioritisation of the present over the past, the positioning of ‘Us versus Them’; and the marginalisation—in responses to the outbreak—of traditional medicine, cultural practices and other practices around farming and hunting. Finally, we reflect on the ‘lessons learned’ framing, highlighting what is included and what is left out. In conclusion, we stress the need to acknowledge—and be responsive to—the ethical, normative framings of such marginalisation.

scholarly journals PTSD, depression and anxiety in Ebola virus disease survivors in Beni town, Democratic Republic of the Congo

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Célestin Kaputu-Kalala-Malu ◽  
Eric Mafuta Musalu ◽  
Tim Walker ◽  
Olga Ntumba-Tshitenge ◽  
Steve Ahuka-Mundeke
Keyword(s):  
Ebola Virus ◽  
Democratic Republic ◽  
Short Term Memory ◽  
Virus Disease ◽  
Ebola Virus Disease ◽  
Depression And Anxiety ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Republic Of The Congo ◽  
Persistent Headache

Abstract Background Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) is a deadly and feared infectious disease, which can be responsible of debilitating physical and psychological sequelae in survivors including depression and anxiety disorders. Unfortunately, there are scarce data on survivor sequelae in Democratic Republic of the Congo. So this study assessed PTSD, depression and anxiety symptoms among EVD survivors enrolled in the follow-up program of the psychosocial care team of Beni town’s general hospital. Methods A cross-sectional study used consecutive sampling to recruit 144 Ebola virus disease survivors who came for follow up from October 23 to November 13; 2019. Basic socio-demographic data, presence of headache and short-term memory function were assessed. The Post-traumatic Checklist Scale and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale were used to assess psychological burden among participants. Descriptive statistics were used to summarized data and Pearson’s or likelihood chi-square were used to test association between psychiatric disorders and associated factors. Results The prevalence of PTSD, depression and anxiety was 24.3, 24.3 and 33.3% respectively. Being male (OR = 0.42, 95% CI: 0.16, 0.95, p = 0.049), suffering from persistent headache (OR = 2.62, 95% CI: 1.12, 6.14, p = 0.014), losing a loved one because of EVD (OR: 2.60, 95% CI: 1.11, 6.15, p = 0. 015) and being young − 18-24 years - (OR: 0. 261, 95% CI: 0. 08, 0.82, p = 0,026) were statistically associated with PTSD diagnosis. Having short-term memory impairment and suffering from persistent headache were statistically associated with depression and anxiety diagnoses (OR = 2.44, 95% CI: 1.03, 5.82, p = 0.026); (OR = 2.24, 95% CI: 1.04, 4.85, p = 0.025); (OR = 2.62, 95% CI: 1.12, 6.14, p = 0.014); (OR = 2.31, 95% CI: 1.06, 5.01, p = 0.020). Conclusion The prevalence of PTSD, depression and anxiety is high among EVD survivors. Development of specialized psychiatric services to sustain psychiatric and psychological health amongst survivors in the cultural context of the Eastern part of the DRC should be considered by the teams fighting against EVD in the DRC.

scholarly journals Lessons Learned from Reinforcing Epidemiologic Surveillance During the 2017 Ebola Outbreak in the Likati District, Democratic Republic of the Congo

2020 ◽  
Vol 18 (S1) ◽  
pp. S-81-S-91 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jennifer J. Hemingway-Foday ◽  
Bonaventure Fuamba Ngoyi ◽  
Christian Tunda ◽  
Kristen B. Stolka ◽  
Kathryn E. L. Grimes ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Democratic Republic ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Epidemiologic Surveillance ◽  
Republic Of The Congo

scholarly journals 1666. Community Beliefs about Ebola and Implications for Disease Control in Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo

2019 ◽  
Vol 6 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. S609-S609
Author(s):  
Qaasim Mian ◽  
Kasereka Masumbuko Claude ◽  
Michael Hawkes
Keyword(s):  
Ebola Virus ◽  
Democratic Republic ◽  
Traditional Healers ◽  
Control Measures ◽  
Community Members ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Major Barrier ◽  
Modes Of Transmission ◽  
Infection Control Measures ◽  
Republic Of The Congo

Abstract Background The current Ebola epidemic in Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has surpassed 1,300 cases and 800 deaths. Social resistance is a major barrier to control efforts, and invites an exploration of community beliefs around Ebola and its origins. Methods Mixed-methods study, using focus group discussions (FGDs) with key community informants and a 19-item survey questionnaire broadly sampling the outbreak zone. Results Between 4 to 17 August, 2018, we conducted 4 FGDs (20 participants) and surveyed 286 community members across Eastern DRC. FGDs revealed a widespread rumor in Mangina early in the epidemic of two twins bewitched by their aunt after eating her cat, who developed bleeding symptoms and triggered the epidemic. However, this myth appeared to dissipate as the epidemic progressed and biomedical transmission became generally accepted (medical syncretism). In our survey, 6% of respondents endorsed supernatural origins of Ebola. This subgroup did not differ from other respondents in terms of knowledge of biomedical modes of transmission or resistant attitudes toward infection control measures, but was more likely to believe that traditional healers could cure Ebola. Wild animals of the forest were recognized as sources of the Ebola virus by 53% of survey respondents. Our findings suggest that skepticism and/or denial of the biomedical discourse, coupled with and mistrust and fear of ETUs may fuel “underground” transmission of Ebola outside western-style medical facilities, as patients seek care from traditional healers, who are ill-equipped to deal with a highly contagious biohazard. Conclusion A deeper understanding of beliefs around Ebola origins may illuminate strategies to engage communities in control efforts. Disclosures All authors: No reported disclosures.

scholarly journals Contextual, Social and Epidemiological Characteristics of the Ebola Virus Disease Outbreak in Likati Health Zone, Democratic Republic of the Congo, 2017

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kathryn E. L. Grimes ◽  
Bonaventure Fuamba Ngoyi ◽  
Kristen B. Stolka ◽  
Jennifer J. Hemingway-Foday ◽  
Leopold Lubula ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Ebola Virus ◽  
Democratic Republic ◽  
Virus Disease ◽  
Disease Outbreak ◽  
Ebola Virus Disease ◽  
Republic Of The Congo ◽  
Health Zone ◽  
Epidemiological Characteristics
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