Ebola: Assessment, Treatment and Prevention

The Ebola virus causes an acute, serious illness which is often fatal if untreated. The current outbreak in west Africa (first cases notified in March 2014) is the largest and most complex Ebola outbreak since the Ebola virus was first discovered in 1976. There have been more cases and deaths in this outbreak than in all others combined. Good outbreak control relies on applying a package of interventions, namely case management, surveillance and contact tracing, a good laboratory service, safe burials, and social mobilization. Community engagement is key to successfully controlling outbreaks and to reduce human transmission.