Urvey on the impact of the Ebola outbreak in West Africa on public health in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany

Abstract

Purpose: The Ebola outbreak in West Africa has also been a challenge to other public health systems. North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) is the largest state in Germany with a population of approximately 18 million people. Even though no imported cases were reported, many uncertainties and questions emerged in NRW regarding preparedness for such a case. Methods & Materials: An online questionnaire via LamaPoll has been used to identify the workload and challenges among local public health departments in NRW, Germany, during the Ebola outbreak in West Africa. The survey was anonymous and voluntary. Results: Ultimately 40 of 54 finished questionnaires were analysed. Of those 11 were completed in an urban district and 26 in a rural district in NRW (3 not stated). People that answered the questionnaires were mainly medical doctors (31), working with infectious disease public health for 15 years on average (range 1 to 36 years). Most local public health departments in NRW had to deal with the Ebola topic, but 23 of the participants did not report any probable Ebola case and 29 less than 5 suspected cases. Nevertheless almost all participants (39) stated they had a higher workload due to the Ebola outbreak. Although 26 participants stated to have purchased PPE in their public health office, only 19 have trained donning and doffing of PPE and mere 5 are planning to continue PPE training. Also 82% of participants think to be better prepared for suspected cases of highly pathogenic infectious diseases. However, only 4 participants are allowing enough time in their department for preparedness regarding such a case. Half the participants used the epidemics preparedness plan NRW and found it to be helpful, but 25% wished to receive relevant information sooner. Conclusion: Emerging challenges during risk assessment of imported possible Ebola cases should be used to scrutinise and improve preparedness regarding suspected and probable cases of public health significance on all levels. The NRW Centre for Health focuses to support the local public health departments as specific and timely as possible. Central coordination and networking between all players involved are required to implement public health measures efficiently.