The CDC has played a key role, along with other health agencies around in the world, in combating the Ebola crisis. The Ebola epidemic began in March 2014, in Guinea. The 2014 outbreak was first noted in the journal Science (“Genomic surveillance elucidates Ebola virus origin and transmission during the 2014 outbreak.”) To date there have been over 27,000 known cases, and of these, 11,000 deaths. The proportion of deaths highlights the devastating impact of the viral disease. The countries hit hardest were Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone.
Ebola virus disease (EVD) is a disease caused by four known Ebola viruses. The name derives from the Ebola River in Republic of the Congo. One of the first signs of the disease is bleeding from mucous membranes and puncture sites. It viral disease is often fatal.
To mark the activities played by the CDC in tackling the rises, the U.S. government agency has produced a multi-media graphic. Reviewing this, some key and interesting points are:
With the current outbreak there have been 10 times more cases than any time since Ebola was first detected in 1976.
The CDC has sent more than 1,200 experts to Guinea, Liberia, Sierra Leone. A key focus was on tracing contacts and working out the spread of the disease.
Monitoring those suspected of being infected for 21 days.
Helping to treat the infected.
The first Ebola case that was diagnosed in the United States was on Sept. 30, 2014; the patient died on October 8 in Dallas, Texas.
Early supportive care with rehydration, symptomatic treatment improves survival.
Many CDC employees volunteered to return following their tour of duty.
Thousands of CDC employees have worked on the response at Atlanta headquarters.
The key to tackling this and any similar incidences is rapid case finding, coupled with proper infection control.
Screening at ports and airports, together with travel restrictions is necessary.
Commenting on the U.S. response, CDC Director Tom Frieden said: “The global response to the Ebola epidemic in West Africa is unprecedented, and hard work by thousands has helped contain the virus in most of the region. We will never forget either those impacted by this terrible epidemic or the heroic public health professionals who responded.”
One of the three countries affected — Liberia — has been declared Ebola free. Cases continue, albeit at a slower rate, in Guinea and Sierra Leone.
