2022/02/09 by Adeleke Fowokan
#Ebola haemorrhagic fever #crisis management. #outbreaks
paper · doi:10.5526/esj82
Ebola haemorrhagic fever, a zoonotic disease, represents a major global public health threat. Although endemic to parts of sub-Saharan Africa, it poses a global threat due to globalization activities as well as its potential use as a biological terrorist agent. Since the first recorded outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (1976), outbreaks of the Ebola virus have resulted it high fatality rates. Over the years, significant research advances have been made in understanding the morphology and the biology of the virus. However, challenges in identifying the natural host and the absence of a known cure make the virus a major public health challenge. The first and subsequent outbreaks of the virus have largely been characterized by features such as large scale hospital infections and spread through contact with cadavers. Due to general improvements in outbreak management of the virus, some of these characteristic features have been addressed through the concerted efforts of stakeholders. However, if outbreaks are to be completely eradicated, certain factors still have to be addressed. This paper reviews the evidence of the July and November 2012 Ebola outbreaks and its management emphasising what was done right, and what needs to be improved upon.