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. 2015 May 6:7:ecurrents.outbreaks.9681514e450dc8d19d47e1724d2553a5.
doi: 10.1371/currents.outbreaks.9681514e450dc8d19d47e1724d2553a5.

Epidemiological and Surveillance Response to Ebola Virus Disease Outbreak in Lofa County, Liberia (March-September, 2014); Lessons Learned

Koffi Isidore Kouadio  1 , Peter Clement  2 , Josephus Bolongei  3 , Alpha Tamba  3 , Alex Ntale Gasasira  2 , Abdihamid Warsame  1 , Joseph Chukwudi Okeibunor  1 , Martin Okechukwu Ota  1 , Boima Tamba  4 , Nicksy Gumede  5 , Keith Shaba  1 , Alain Poy  1 , Mbaye Salla  1 , Richard Mihigo  1 , Deo Nshimirimana  1
Affiliations

Epidemiological and Surveillance Response to Ebola Virus Disease Outbreak in Lofa County, Liberia (March-September, 2014); Lessons Learned

Koffi Isidore Kouadio et al. PLoS Curr. .

Abstract

Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) outbreak was confirmed in Liberia on March 31st 2014. A response comprising of diverse expertise was mobilized and deployed to the country to contain transmission of Ebola and give relief to a people already impoverished from protracted civil war. This paper describes the epidemiological and surveillance response to the EVD outbreak in Lofa County in Liberia from March to September 2014. Five of the 6 districts of Lofa were affected. The most affected districts were Voinjama/Guardu Gbondi and Foya. By 26th September, 2014, a total of 619 cases, including 19.4% probable cases, 20.3% suspected cases and 44.2% confirmed cases were recorded by the Ebola Emergency Response Team (EERT) of Lofa County. Adults (20-50 years) were the most affected. Overall fatality rate was 53.3%. Twenty two (22) cases were reported among the Health Care Workers with a fatality rate of 81.8%. Seventy eight percent (78%) of the contacts successfully completed 21 days follow-up while 134 (6.15%) that developed signs and symptoms of EVD were referred to the ETU in Foya. The contributions of the weak health systems as well as socio-cultural factors in fueling the epidemic are highlighted. Importantly, the lessons learnt including the positive impact of multi-sectorial and multidisciplinary and coordinated response led by the government and community. Again, given that the spread of infectious disease can be considered a security threat every effort has to put in place to strengthen the health systems in developing countries including the International Health Regulation (IHR)'s core capacities. Key words: Ebola virus disease, outbreak, epidemiology and surveillance, socio-cultural factors, health system, West Africa.

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Figures

None
Map 1: Administrative and Political Map of Liberia
Distribution of EVD cases by districts in LOFA March-September 2014
Distribution of EVD cases by districts in LOFA March-September 2014
Distribution of EVD cases by age group in LOFA March-September 2014
Distribution of EVD cases by age group in LOFA March-September 2014
Evolution/Epidemic curve of Ebola cases in LOFA country March-September 2014.
Evolution/Epidemic curve of Ebola cases in LOFA country March-September 2014.
Trend of daily admissions of patients in Ebola Treatment Unit (ETU) in FOYA, July to 27 September 2014
Trend of daily admissions of patients in Ebola Treatment Unit (ETU) in FOYA, July to 27 September 2014
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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