Long-Term Disease Surveillance in Bandundu Region, Democratic Republic of the Congo: A Model for Early Detection and Prevention of Ebola Hemorrhagic Fever

• Published in: The Journal of infectious diseases Vol. 179; no. Supplement-1; pp. S274 - S280
• Main Authors: Lloyd, Ethleen S., Zaki, Sherif R., Rollin, Pierre E., Tshioko, Kweteminga, Bwaka, Mpia A., Ksiazek, Thomas G., Calain, Philippe, Shieh, Wun-Ju, Kondé, M. Kader, Verchueren, Eric, Perry, Helen N., Manguindula, Lubaki, Kabwau, Jean, Ndambi, Roger, Peters, C. J.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States The University of Chicago Press 01-02-1999; University of Chicago Press; Oxford University Press
• Subjects: Adult; Control, Response, Prevention; Democratic Republic of the Congo - epidemiology; Disease models; Disease outbreaks; Disease Outbreaks - prevention & control; Disease transmission; Ebola virus; Ebolavirus - isolation & purification; Epidemiology; Fever; Hemorrhagic Fever, Ebola - diagnosis; Hemorrhagic Fever, Ebola - epidemiology; Hemorrhagic Fever, Ebola - prevention & control; Humans; Immunohistochemistry - methods; Infection Control; Models, Theoretical; Patient surveillance; Physicians; Population Surveillance - methods; Skin - virology; Software Design; Specimens; Surveillance; Time Factors; Democratic Republic of the Congo
• ISSN: 0022-1899; 1537-6613
• DOI: 10.1086/514312

After the large-scale outbreak of Ebola hemorrhagic fever (EHF) in Bandundu region, Democratic Republic of the Congo, a program was developed to help detect and prevent future outbreaks of EHF in the region. The long-term surveillance and prevention strategy is based on early recognition by physicians, immediate initiation of enhanced barrier-nursing practices, and the use of an immunohistochemical diagnostic test performed on formalin-fixed skin specimens of patients who die of suspected viral hemorrhagic fever. The program was implemented in September 1995 during a 4-day workshop with 28 local physicians representing 17 of 22 health zones in the region. Specimen collection kits were distributed to clinics in participating health zones, and a follow-up evaluation was conducted after 6 months. The use of a formalin-fixed skin specimen for laboratory confirmation of EHF can provide an appropriate method for EHF surveillance when linked with physician training, use of viral hemorrhagic fever isolation precautions, and follow-up investigation.