title: Evolution of ebola virus disease from exotic infection to global health priority, Liberia, mid-2014.
abstract: Over the span of a few weeks during July and August 2014, events in West Africa changed perceptions of Ebola virus disease (EVD) from an exotic tropical disease to a priority for global health security. We describe observations during that time of a field team from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and personnel of the Liberian Ministry of Health and Social Welfare. We outline the early epidemiology of EVD within Liberia, including the practical limitations on surveillance and the effect on the country's health care system, such as infections among health care workers. During this time, priorities included strengthening EVD surveillance; establishing safe settings for EVD patient care (and considering alternative isolation and care models when Ebola Treatment Units were overwhelmed); improving infection control practices; establishing an incident management system; and working with Liberian airport authorities to implement EVD screening of departing passengers.
authors: M Allison
authors: MA
authors: Arwady
authors: Luke
authors: L
authors: Bawo
authors: Jennifer C
authors: JC
authors: Hunter
authors: Moses
authors: M
authors: Massaquoi
authors: Almea
authors: A
authors: Matanock
authors: Bernice
authors: B
authors: Dahn
authors: Patrick
authors: P
authors: Ayscue
authors: Tolbert
authors: T
authors: Nyenswah
authors: Joseph D
authors: JD
authors: Forrester
authors: Lisa E
authors: LE
authors: Hensley
authors: Benjamin
authors: B
authors: Monroe
authors: Randal J
authors: RJ
authors: Schoepp
authors: Tai-Ho
authors: TH
authors: Chen
authors: Kurt E
authors: KE
authors: Schaecher
authors: Thomas
authors: T
authors: George
authors: Edward
authors: E
authors: Rouse
authors: Ilana J
authors: IJ
authors: Schafer
authors: Satish K
authors: SK
authors: Pillai
authors: Kevin M
authors: KM
authors: De Cock
mesh_terms: D019468:Disease Management; D029043:Ebolavirus / Q000235:genetics; D062306:Geography, Medical; D014943:Global Health; D006282:Health Personnel; D006292:Health Priorities; D019142:Hemorrhagic Fever, Ebola / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000266:history / Q000821:virology*; D049674:History, 21st Century; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007988:Liberia / Q000453:epidemiology; D011159:Population Surveillance
keywords: Ebola; Ebola virus disease; Ebolavirus; Filoviridae; Liberia; Liberian Ministry of Health and Social Welfare; West Africa; disease outbreaks; epidemiology; expedited; hemorrhagic fever; public health; viruses; zoonoses