title: The West African Ebola outbreak: finishing the job, preparing for future.
abstract: As the West African Ebola Outbreak moves towards the final stages, we must consider the importance of remaining work and take heed of lessons learned in preparation for future outbreaks. Several issues pertinent to preparedness must be considered, including the remaining animal reservoir and potential for sexual transmission. Testing must be accessible and contact tracing robust to trace the last patient. Improved infection control procedures alongside education and training require guaranteed supply chains and ongoing funding. Effort must be sustained to prevent an even greater catastrophe than the one inflicted on West Africa today.
authors.affiliation: London School of Tropical Medicine & Hygiene, Keppel Street, London, WC1E 7HT, UK clareemmaparsons@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Clare
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Parsons
authors.affiliation: Royal London Hospital, Whitechapel Road, London, E1 1BB, UK.
authors.forename: Umar
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Naeem Ahmad
mesh_terms: D000354:Africa, Western / Q000453:epidemiology; D000818:Animals; D003140:Communicable Disease Control / Q000379:methods / Q000458:organization & administration*; D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D004196:Disease Outbreaks / Q000517:prevention & control*; D029043:Ebolavirus / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006291:Health Policy; D006292:Health Priorities; D019142:Hemorrhagic Fever, Ebola / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000635:transmission; D006801:Humans; D011159:Population Surveillance; D015980:Public Health Practice
keywords: Ebola; Healthcare systems; Outbreak; West Africa