Emerging Infectious Diseases (Feb 2016)

Ebola and Its Control in Liberia, 2014–2015

  • Tolbert G. Nyenswah,
  • Francis Kateh,
  • Luke Bawo,
  • Moses Massaquoi,
  • Miatta Gbanyan,
  • Mosoka Fallah,
  • Thomas K. Nagbe,
  • Kollie K. Karsor,
  • C. Sanford Wesseh,
  • Sonpon Sieh,
  • Alex Gasasira,
  • Peter Graaff,
  • Lisa Hensley,
  • Hans Rosling,
  • Terrence Lo,
  • Satish K. Pillai,
  • Neil Gupta,
  • Joel M. Montgomery,
  • Ray L. Ransom,
  • Desmond Williams,
  • A. Scott Laney,
  • Kim A. Lindblade,
  • Laurence Slutsker,
  • Jana L. Telfer,
  • Athalia Christie,
  • Frank Mahoney,
  • Kevin M. De Cock

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3201/eid2202.151456
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 22, no. 2
pp. 169 – 177

Abstract

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The severe epidemic of Ebola virus disease in Liberia started in March 2014. On May 9, 2015, the World Health Organization declared Liberia free of Ebola, 42 days after safe burial of the last known case-patient. However, another 6 cases occurred during June–July; on September 3, 2015, the country was again declared free of Ebola. Liberia had by then reported 10,672 cases of Ebola and 4,808 deaths, 37.0% and 42.6%, respectively, of the 28,103 cases and 11,290 deaths reported from the 3 countries that were heavily affected at that time. Essential components of the response included government leadership and sense of urgency, coordinated international assistance, sound technical work, flexibility guided by epidemiologic data, transparency and effective communication, and efforts by communities themselves. Priorities after the epidemic include surveillance in case of resurgence, restoration of health services, infection control in healthcare settings, and strengthening of basic public health systems.

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