Responses to spread of .Ebola virus disease epidemic in West Africa: A review

Abstract

Background: The first Ebola virus disease (EVD) epidemic in West Africa is unprecedented in its spread, complexity and severity. Comparing responses to spread of the virus in the three most affected countries Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia- with that in Nigeria, Senegal and Mali where the epidemic was quickly brought under control may guide future mitigation efforts. Methods: Literature from Pubmed, Google, Center for Disease control and Prevention (CDC), Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR), World Health Organization's Updates and Ebola Response Reports. Results: The epidemic spread undiagnosed for three months From Meliandou in Guinea to its four rural prefectures and its capital Conakry, two countries in Liberia and two districts in Sierra Leone. Control measures were hampered by traditional and faith healers offering inappropriate treatments, as well as secret societies encouraging unsafe burial rituals. Whereas, in Nigeria, a case imported from Liberia on 20 July 2014 was diagnosed on the 3rd day; all primary, secondary and tertiary contacts were traced. Also, at a formal meeting, officials of Lagos state government discouraged treatment of EVD by faith healers. In Senegal, a single case imported from Guinea on 20 August 2014 was diagnosed on the 9th day, treated and further spread was prevented. In Mali, there were two waves of transmissions identified on 23 October and 12 November 2014 within 15 days of importation and the epidemic was controlled. There were no cases of EVD treated by any traditional healers or faith healers in Nigeria, Senegal and Mali. Conclusion: Education of traditional and faith healers on EVD will complement control measures for EVD epidemic.