Ebola: Anatomy of an Epidemic.
As of the end of March 2016, the West Africa epidemic of Ebola virus disease (Ebola) had resulted in a total of 28,646 cases, 11,323 of them fatal, reported to the World Health Organization. Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone were most heavily affected, but Ebola cases were exported to several other African and European countries as well as the United States, with limited further transmission, including to healthcare workers. We review the descriptive epidemiology of the outbreak, novel aspects and insights concerning the unprecedented response, scientific observations, and public health implications. The large number of Ebola survivors has highlighted the frequency of persistent symptoms and the possibility of virus persistence in sanctuary sites, sometimes leading to delayed transmission. Although transmission appears to have ceased in 2016, the West Africa Ebola epidemic has profoundly influenced discussions and practice concerning global health security.
Center for Global Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia 30333; email: TGL8@cdc.gov , BXM5@cdc.gov , BID5@cdc.gov , KMD2@cdc.gov.
Terrence Q
TQ
Lo
Center for Global Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia 30333; email: TGL8@cdc.gov , BXM5@cdc.gov , BID5@cdc.gov , KMD2@cdc.gov.
Barbara J
BJ
Marston
Center for Global Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia 30333; email: TGL8@cdc.gov , BXM5@cdc.gov , BID5@cdc.gov , KMD2@cdc.gov.
Benjamin A
BA
Dahl
Center for Global Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia 30333; email: TGL8@cdc.gov , BXM5@cdc.gov , BID5@cdc.gov , KMD2@cdc.gov.
Kevin M
KM
De Cock
D035843:Biomedical Research; D046129:Ebola Vaccines; D058872:Epidemics; D016701:Guinea / Q000453:epidemiology; D019142:Hemorrhagic Fever, Ebola / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D007988:Liberia / Q000453:epidemiology; D011634:Public Health; D012807:Sierra Leone / Q000453:epidemiology
D046129:Ebola Vaccines
Ebolavirus Zaire; West Africa; disease outbreaks; epidemiology; global health security