Ebola in West Africa—CDC’s Role in Epidemic Detection, Control, and Prevention

Since Ebola virus disease was identified in West Africa on March 23, 2014, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has undertaken the most intensive response in the agency’s history; >3,000 staff have been involved, including >1,200 deployed to West Africa for >50,000 person wo...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Thomas R. Frieden, Inger K. Damon
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 2015-11-01
Series:Emerging Infectious Diseases
Subjects:
CDC
Online Access:https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/21/11/15-0949_article
Description
Summary:Since Ebola virus disease was identified in West Africa on March 23, 2014, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has undertaken the most intensive response in the agency’s history; >3,000 staff have been involved, including >1,200 deployed to West Africa for >50,000 person workdays. Efforts have included supporting incident management systems in affected countries; mobilizing partners; and strengthening laboratory, epidemiology, contact investigation, health care infection control, communication, and border screening in West Africa, Nigeria, Mali, Senegal, and the United States. All efforts were undertaken as part of national and global response activities with many partner organizations. CDC was able to support community, national, and international health and public health staff to prevent an even worse event. The Ebola virus disease epidemic highlights the need to strengthen national and international systems to detect, respond to, and prevent the spread of future health threats.
ISSN:1080-6040
1080-6059