Abstract
The current outbreak of Ebola virus disease (EVD) centered in West Africa is the largest in history, with nearly ten times more individuals contracting the disease than all previous outbreaks combined. The details of human-to-human and zoonotic ebolavirus transmission have justifiably received the largest share of research attention, and much information exists on these topics. However, although food processing—in the form of slaughtering and preparing wildlife for consumption (referred to as bushmeat)—has been implicated in EVD outbreaks, the full role of food in EVD spread is poorly understood and has been little studied. A literature search was undertaken to assess the current state of knowledge regarding how food can or may transmit ebolaviruses and how the food system contributes to EVD outbreak and spread. The literature reveals surprising preliminary evidence that food and the food system may be more implicated in ebolavirus transmission than expected and that further research is urgently needed.
Highlights
The ongoing Ebola virus disease (EVD) outbreak in West Africa is the largest in history
This article reviews what is currently known about how food can transmit ebolaviruses and how the food system contributes to EVD outbreak and spread
A series of EVD outbreaks during 2001–2003 in Gabon and the Republic of the Congo began after humans handled the carcasses of gorillas, chimpanzees, and duikers infected with the virus [10]
Summary
The ongoing Ebola virus disease (EVD) outbreak in West Africa is the largest in history. Before 2015, less than 2,500 cases of EVD had been reported since the first known outbreak in 1976 [2]. The current outbreak has seen cases of EVD in countries that had never experienced it, including the United States, Spain, the United Kingdom, and Italy [3,4,5,6]. While perhaps not apparent at first, a number of connections exist between EVD outbreaks and food. These connections can be found along the continuum of an outbreak: at its origins and as potential drivers for ongoing transmission. This article reviews what is currently known about how food can transmit ebolaviruses and how the food system contributes to EVD outbreak and spread
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
