Characterizing risk of Ebola transmission based on frequency and type of case-contact exposures.

ABSTRACT: During the initial months of the 2013-2016 Ebola epidemic, rapid geographical dissemination and intense transmission challenged response efforts across West Africa. Contextual behaviours associated with increased risk of exposure included travel to high-transmission settings, caring for sick and preparing the deceased for traditional funerals. Although such behaviours are widespread in West Africa, high-transmission pockets were observed. Superspreading and clustering are typical phenomena in infectious disease outbreaks, as a relatively small number of transmission chains are often responsible for the majority of events. Determining the characteristics of contacts at greatest risk of developing disease and of cases with greatest transmission potential could therefore help curb propagation

SUBMITTER: Skrip LA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5394639 | biostudies-literature | 2017 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature