Emerging Infectious Diseases (Dec 2017)

Ebola Response Impact on Public Health Programs, West Africa, 2014–2017

  • Barbara J. Marston,
  • E. Kainne Dokubo,
  • Amanda van Steelandt,
  • Lise Martel,
  • Desmond Williams,
  • Sara Hersey,
  • Amara Jambai,
  • Sakoba Keita,
  • Tolbert G. Nyenswah,
  • John T. Redd

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3201/eid2313.170727
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 23, no. 13

Abstract

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Events such as the 2014–2015 West Africa epidemic of Ebola virus disease highlight the importance of the capacity to detect and respond to public health threats. We describe capacity-building efforts during and after the Ebola epidemic in Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Guinea and public health progress that was made as a result of the Ebola response in 4 key areas: emergency response, laboratory capacity, surveillance, and workforce development. We further highlight ways in which capacity-building efforts such as those used in West Africa can be accelerated after a public health crisis to improve preparedness for future events.

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