Exposure Patterns Driving Ebola Transmission in West Africa: A Retrospective Observational Study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The ongoing West African Ebola epidemic began in December 2013 in Guinea, probably from a single zoonotic introduction. As a result of ineffective initial control efforts, an Ebola outbreak of unprecedented scale emerged. As of 4 May 2015, it had resulted in more than 19,000 probable and confirmed Ebola cases, mainly in Guinea (3,529), Liberia (5,343), and Sierra Leone (10,746). Here, we present analyses of data collected during the outbreak identifying drivers of transmission and highlighting areas where control could be improved.

Methods and findings

Over 19,000 confirmed and probable Ebola cases were reported in West Africa by 4 May 2015. Individuals with confirmed or probable Ebola ("cases") were asked if they had exposure to other potential Ebola cases ("pote

SUBMITTER: International Ebola Response Team 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5112802 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature