Filovirus outbreak detection and surveillance: lessons from Bundibugyo

J Infect Dis. 2011 Nov:204 Suppl 3:S761-7. doi: 10.1093/infdis/jir294.

Abstract

The first outbreak of Ebola hemorrhagic fever (EHF) due to Bundibugyo ebolavirus occurred in Uganda from August to December 2007. During outbreak response and assessment, we identified 131 EHF cases (44 suspect, 31 probable, and 56 confirmed). Consistent with previous large filovirus outbreaks, a long temporal lag (approximately 3 months) occurred between initial EHF cases and the subsequent identification of Ebola virus and outbreak response, which allowed for prolonged person-to-person transmission of the virus. Although effective control measures for filovirus outbreaks, such as patient isolation and contact tracing, are well established, our observations from the Bundibugyo EHF outbreak demonstrate the need for improved filovirus surveillance, reporting, and diagnostics, in endemic locations in Africa.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Disease Outbreaks*
  • Hemorrhagic Fever, Ebola / diagnosis
  • Hemorrhagic Fever, Ebola / epidemiology*
  • Hemorrhagic Fever, Ebola / mortality
  • Humans
  • Population Surveillance / methods*
  • Uganda / epidemiology