Ebola outbreak in the news

Abstract

As of Feb 27, 2003, five laboratory-confirmed and 92 probable cases, including 80 deaths, from Ebola haemorrhagic fever were reported in the districts of Mbomo and Kellé in Cuvette Ouest Region of the Republic of the Congo, according to WHO (http://www.who.int/csr/don/2003_02_28/en). Experts in clinical case management, epidemiology, and social mobilisation from the WHO Global Alert and Response Network were sent to affected areas with the aim of assisting health-care workers and providing relevant training. Background information and a fact sheet on Ebola are available on the WHO site at http://www.who.int/csr/disease/ebola/en. A fairly up-to-date chronology of Ebola haemorrhagic fever outbreaks is posted in the disease-outbreak section at http://www.who.int/disease-outbreak-news/disease/A98.4.htm. Sadly, Reuters reported that Congolese villagers stoned and beat to death four teachers accused of casting an “evil spell” that caused the Ebola outbreak (http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/449772). Despite obvious public-health concerns and Ebola's potential for use as a bioterrorism agent, unlike smallpox, anthrax, and some other microorganisms, Ebola has not received significant attention on the web. There are relatively few Ebola sites, many of which need updating. Nevertheless, there are some good online articles, relevant news stories, and background information for clinicians and patients. Also see a news item in the February issue (Lancet Infect Dis 2003; 3: 63) that covers a study implicating birds in Ebola transmission. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/medical_notes/413496.stm This recent article from the BBC provides an excellent overview of Ebola for the general public. It puts Ebola haemorrhagic fever outbreaks in context with other outbreaks, presents an overview of symptoms and treatments in development, and links to related news stories. http://ebolaresearch.org This site features an excellent roundup of current news related to Ebola from news sources worldwide. http://www.eurosurveillance.org/em/v07n03/0703-222.asp This review article from March 2002 provides insights into the re-emergence of Ebola since 1989, including some details on several large outbreaks in Gabon, Uganda, and the DR Congo. http://www.journals.uchicago.edu/JID/journal/contents/v179nS1.html In February 1999, the Journal of Infectious Diseases published this comprehensive supplement on Ebola that stands as the most thorough— although somewhat out of date— information resource on Ebola on the web. Areas covered include: clinical observations, epidemiology and surveillance, ecology and natural history, virology and pathogenesis, experimental therapies, and control and prevention. Articles are in PDF and postscript formats. http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvrd/spb/mnpages/dispages/ebola.htm The US CDC presents this overview of Ebola haemorrhagic fever that highlights key clinical features, diagnosis, and the need for supportive therapy. The page contains a link to English and French versions of the online manual, Infection control for viral haemorrhagic fevers In the African health care setting (http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvrd/spb/mnpages/vhfmanual.htm). http://www.accessexcellence.org/WN/NM/interview_murphy.html Posted here is an informative interview with virologist Frederick Murphy, who was head of the US CDC's National Center for Infectious Diseases at the time of the Reston outbreak and said to be “the first one to look at Ebola virus “face-to-face” in the electron microscope.” http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/433535 This article on includes information on the former Soviet Union's efforts to weaponise Ebola, as well as the rationale for research efforts to develop effective vaccines against this future possibility. Interestingly, particularly in light of the dearth of Ebola information on the web, the authors address the need to focus on Ebola prevention despite the fact that it is relatively rare. As one of the experts interviewed for the article says, “Ebola represents the unknown. We don't know very much about them [Ebola and other filoviruses], whether they could adapt to humans, if they are trans-species, or what their reservoir is.” http://www.nationalgeographic.com/adventure/0105/photo.html National Geographic magazine offers this haunting gallery of photos from an Ebola outbreak in the Congo in 2000, as well as insights into the effects of illness on villagers.