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. 2017 Jun 15;215(12):1799-1806.
doi: 10.1093/infdis/jix236.

Development, Use, and Impact of a Global Laboratory Database During the 2014 Ebola Outbreak in West Africa

Kara N Durski  1   2 , Shalini Singaravelu  1 , Junxiong Teo  1   3 , Dhamari Naidoo  1 , Luke Bawo  4 , Amara Jambai  5 , Sakoba Keita  6 , Ali Ahmed Yahaya  7 , Beatrice Muraguri  8 , Brice Ahounou  9 , Victoria Katawera  10 , Fredson Kuti-George  8 , Yacouba Nebie  9 , T Henry Kohar  4 , Patrick Jowlehpah Hardy  4 , Mamoudou Harouna Djingarey  9 , David Kargbo  5 , Nuha Mahmoud  10 , Yewondwossen Assefa  8 , Orla Condell  10 , Magassouba N'Faly  11 , Leon Van Gurp  1 , Margaret Lamanu  8 , Julia Ryan  1 , Boubacar Diallo  9 , Foday Daffae  5 , Dikena Jackson  4 , Fayyaz Ahmed Malik  8 , Philomena Raftery  10 , Pierre Formenty  1
Affiliations

Development, Use, and Impact of a Global Laboratory Database During the 2014 Ebola Outbreak in West Africa

Kara N Durski et al. J Infect Dis. .

Abstract

Background: The international impact, rapid widespread transmission, and reporting delays during the 2014 Ebola outbreak in West Africa highlighted the need for a global, centralized database to inform outbreak response. The World Health Organization and Emerging and Dangerous Pathogens Laboratory Network addressed this need by supporting the development of a global laboratory database.

Methods: Specimens were collected in the affected countries from patients and dead bodies meeting the case definitions for Ebola virus disease. Test results were entered in nationally standardized spreadsheets and consolidated onto a central server.

Results: From March 2014 through August 2016, 256343 specimens tested for Ebola virus disease were captured in the database. Thirty-one specimen types were collected, and a variety of diagnostic tests were performed. Regular analysis of data described the functionality of laboratory and response systems, positivity rates, and the geographic distribution of specimens.

Conclusion: With data standardization and end user buy-in, the collection and analysis of large amounts of data with multiple stakeholders and collaborators across various user-access levels was made possible and contributed to outbreak response needs. The usefulness and value of a multifunctional global laboratory database is far reaching, with uses including virtual biobanking, disease forecasting, and adaption to other disease outbreaks.

Keywords: Disease outbreaks; Ebola; databases; hemorrhagic fever; laboratories.

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Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Mobile and fixed laboratories deployed in Guinea, Sierra Leone, and Liberia since March 2014.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
Data flow to and from laboratories and between levels of response.
Figure 3.
Figure 3.
Data completeness in comparison to laboratory specimen test results in Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone since March 2014
Figure 4.
Figure 4.
Example analyses created for informing response activities.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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