Abstract
The recent Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) outbreak in West Africa is so far the largest and deadliest in recorded history. The rapid spread of the disease in the region and its potential for international spread prompted the World Health Organization to declare the outbreak a public health emergency of international concern. (1) This paper assesses the potential for the spread of the disease across international borders by returnee travelers and humanitarian health workers, given that the disease spreads through physical contact. The surveillance data published by both the World Health Organization (WHO) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) were reviewed to identify the EVD epidemiological situation in West Africa from March 2014 to September 2014. The risk assessment data published by Public Health England (PHE) and CDC travel updates were reviewed to identify travel group(s) most at risk of transmitting EVD across international borders. Studies focusing on West African cultural practices were also reviewed to identify aspects that carry risk of EVD transmission. The study found that the risk of travelers transmitting EVD across international borders is low and would remain so on two conditions. First, all travelers must avoid direct physical contact with a sick or d ead person or animal infected with EVD. Second, international humanitarian health workers in affected areas of West Africa who will eventually return to their home countries must work in safe environments with adequate protective equipment. The risk of travelers acquiring EVD is considered very low, yet there is serious concern that the disease may spread further within West Africa and across international borders. Local burial practices exacerbate the disease spread while poor working environments and inadequate supply of equipment increase risk of exposure to EVD of humanitarian workers. This researcher recommends addressing the issues through local awareness, pre-travel advice and capacity investment in the healthcare infrastructure in the EVD affected areas.
Highlights
What is Ebola?Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) belongs to a group of viral haemorrhagic fever (VHF) caused by several distinct families of viruses: the arena-viruses, bunya-viruses, filo-viruses, and flavi-viruses
EVD comprises of five distinct species named mainly after where they were originally found: Bundibugyo ebolavirus (BDBV); Zaire ebolavirus (EBOV); Reston Ebola Virus (RESTV); Sudan ebolavirus (SUDV); and Taï Forest ebolavirus (TAFV)
BDBV, EBOV, and SUDV have been associated with large EVD outbreaks in Africa, whereas RESTV and TAFV have not. [2]EVD first appeared in Zaire in 1976 in a Yambuku village situated near the Ebola River from which the disease got its name
Summary
Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) belongs to a group of viral haemorrhagic fever (VHF) caused by several distinct families of viruses: the arena-viruses, bunya-viruses, filo-viruses, and flavi-viruses. EVD comprises of five distinct species named mainly after where they were originally found: Bundibugyo ebolavirus (BDBV); Zaire ebolavirus (EBOV); Reston Ebola Virus (RESTV); Sudan ebolavirus (SUDV); and Taï Forest ebolavirus (TAFV). BDBV, EBOV, and SUDV have been associated with large EVD outbreaks in Africa, whereas RESTV and TAFV have not. [2]EVD first appeared in Zaire ( the Democratic Republic of Congo) in 1976 in a Yambuku village situated near the Ebola River from which the disease got its name. The outbreak of Ebola virus in Zaire was blamed for the280 deaths out of 318 cases of a haemorrhagic fever reported in Zaire in 1976. In the same year 156 people died out of 284 cases reported in Sudan. [2]
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