Prevalence of community deaths positive for the Ebola virus that occurred in the city of Conakry

Abstract

Context and objective: Ebola virus disease (EVD) is a contagious, serious, often fatal disease if left untreated, reaching a lethality rate of 90% during epidemics. The objective of this study was to describe the Ebola positive community deaths that occurred in the city of Conakry during the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) epidemic. Patients and methods: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted from 1 March to 31 August 2015, covering all positive community Ebola deaths in the city of Conakry that were recorded in the database of the National Ebola Control Coordination. Results: During the study period, out of a total of 6589 community deaths recorded in Conakry city by National Ebola Control Coordination, the proportion of Ebola positive death was 0.41%. The average age was 38.77 years (extremes were 1 and 78 years). All age groups were affected, but the most affected was 31 to 40 years of age (29.6%). The sex ratio was 0.58. The municipality of Matoto recorded the highest rate of community Ebola virus positive deaths for during this period, 48% (13/27). The type of epidemiological link was mainly that related to health workers 303 (36.5%). Conclusion: This study shows a strong involvement of community deaths in the persistence of Ebola transmission chains. This is despite the efforts of the national and international community. Improving the control of an Ebola epidemic in Guinea would require collaboration between communities and the epidemiological surveillance department.