Long-term disease surveillance in Bandundu region, Democratic Republic of the Congo: a model for early detection and prevention of Ebola hemorrhagic fever.
After the large-scale outbreak of Ebola hemorrhagic fever (EHF) in Bandundu region, Democratic Republic of the Congo, a program was developed to help detect and prevent future outbreaks of EHF in the region. The long-term surveillance and prevention strategy is based on early recognition by physicians, immediate initiation of enhanced barrier-nursing practices, and the use of an immunohistochemical diagnostic test performed on formalin-fixed skin specimens of patients who die of suspected viral hemorrhagic fever. The program was implemented in September 1995 during a 4-day workshop with 28 local physicians representing 17 of 22 health zones in the region. Specimen collection kits were distributed to clinics in participating health zones, and a follow-up evaluation was conducted after 6 months. The use of a formalin-fixed skin specimen for laboratory confirmation of EHF can provide an appropriate method for EHF surveillance when linked with physician training, use of viral hemorrhagic fever isolation precautions, and follow-up investigation.
Lloyd
E S
ES
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia 30333, USA. pyr3@cdc.gov
Zaki
S R
SR
Rollin
P E
PE
Tshioko
K
K
Bwaka
M A
MA
Ksiazek
T G
TG
Calain
P
P
Shieh
W J
WJ
Kondé
M K
MK
Verchueren
E
E
Perry
H N
HN
Manguindula
L
L
Kabwau
J
J
Ndambi
R
R
Peters
C J
CJ
D000328:Adult; D015023:Democratic Republic of the Congo / Q000453:epidemiology; D004196:Disease Outbreaks / Q000517:prevention & control; D029043:Ebolavirus / Q000302:isolation & purification; D019142:Hemorrhagic Fever, Ebola / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry / Q000379:methods; D017053:Infection Control; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D011159:Population Surveillance / Q000379:methods*; D012867:Skin / Q000821:virology; D012985:Software Design; D013997:Time Factors