Article
Biodiversity Conservation
Stephan M. Funk, Julia E. Fa, Stephanie N. Ajong, Edem A. Eniang, Daniele Dendi, Massimiliano Di Vittorio, Fabio Petrozzi, NioKing Amadi, Godfrey C. Akani, Luca Luiselli
Summary: The study found that the Ebola outbreak led to a sharp decline in wild meat sales in Nigeria, especially for reptiles. However, after the Ebola epidemic, there was a recovery in the sales of certain animal groups, such as ungulates, rodents, and carnivores. Surveys showed significant differences in wild meat consumption and attitudes among rural versus urban areas and different age groups.
BIOLOGICAL CONSERVATION
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
T. R. W. Tipton, Y. Hall, J. A. Bore, A. White, L. S. Sibley, C. Sarfas, Y. Yuki, M. Martin, S. Longet, J. Mellors, K. Ewer, S. Guenther, M. Carrington, M. K. Konde, M. W. Carroll
Summary: This study identified and described T cell epitopes in survivors, showing T cell responses to the EBOV glycoprotein. The research revealed potential epitopes able to elicit a T cell response and demonstrate important immunodominant properties in EBOV survivors.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Mosoka Fallah, Stephen Lavalah, Tina Gbelia, Myers Zondo, Morris Kromah, Lucy Tantum, Gartee Nallo, Joseph Boakai, Kemoh Sheriff, Laura Skrip, S. Harris Ali
Summary: Based on research conducted in Liberia, we found that individuals traveled during the Ebola outbreak for various reasons, such as avoiding stigmatization, fear of the disease, and attending burial rites. Improvements in infectious disease response could be made through personalizing public health messaging, activating community surveillance systems, and involving local leaders and community members.
PLOS NEGLECTED TROPICAL DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Kevin J. Maroney, Amanda N. Pinski, Andrea Marzi, Ilhem Messaoudi
Summary: The 2013-2016 West Africa Ebola virus epidemic caused by the EBOV-Makona isolate is the largest to date, with over 28,000 infections and approximately 11,000 deaths. Mutations in viral glycoprotein, nucleoprotein, and polymerase emerged during this epidemic, leading to enhanced viral fitness and replication capacity. In vitro studies showed differences compared to in vivo studies in mice and rhesus macaques, suggesting the need for further research on the genetic variation's impact on EBOV pathogenesis. Additionally, transcriptomic analyses of host responses to lethal infections with different EBOV strains revealed potential mechanisms underlying variations in case fatality rates.
FRONTIERS IN MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Soka J. Moses, Ian Wachekwa, Collin Van Ryn, Greg Grandits, Alice Pau, Moses Badio, Stephen B. Kennedy, Michael C. Sneller, Elizabeth S. Higgs, H. Clifford Lane, Mosoka Fallah, Stephen A. Migueles, Cavan Reilly
Summary: Two cohorts in Liberia showed higher HIV prevalence and incidence rates compared to national estimates in 2018, highlighting the need for further research to address knowledge gaps and improve care for HIV-positive individuals in the country.
Correction
Medicine, General & Internal
P. Mbala-Kingebeni
Summary: This article highlights that a misspelled surname of one of the authors has affected the content about Ebola virus transmission.
NEW ENGLAND JOURNAL OF MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Environmental Studies
Michelle Reddy
Summary: This study investigates the correlation between voluntary association participation and reduced Ebola duration in Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone during the West Africa epidemic. The findings suggest that districts with a culture of raising issues and participating in voluntary and religious organizations had lower Ebola duration rates. These findings have implications for health crisis response, disaster response, and international aid provision to civil society.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Peiyu Chen, Wenhui Fan, Xudong Guo
Summary: The article introduces a hybrid modeling and simulation method that combines mean-field compartmental model and agent-based model to better understand disease transmission mechanisms and study the effectiveness of prevention and control strategies.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Sachin Agnihotri, Charles Alpren, Brima Bangura, Sarah Bennett, Yelena Gorina, Jadnah D. Harding, Sara Hersey, Ansumana S. Kamara, Mohamed A. M. Kamara, John D. Klena, Fiona McLysaght, Nishi Patel, Lance Presser, John T. Redd, Thomas T. Samba, Alexander K. Taylor, Mohamed A. Vandi, Scott Van Heest
Summary: This study details the process of consolidating epidemic records and establishing a database during the 2014-2016 Ebola outbreak in West Africa, with a focus on assisting families in locating the graves of loved ones who passed away during the epidemic through the SLED Family Reunification Program. The project aimed to create a data source for epidemiological research and highlighted the characteristics, strengths, and limitations of this unique information source for public health research.
ANNALS OF EPIDEMIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Zacchaeus Anywaine, Houreratou Barry, Omu Anzala, Gaudensia Mutua, Sodiomon B. Sirima, Serge Eholie, Hannah Kibuuka, Christine Betard, Laura Richert, Christine Lacabaratz, M. Juliana McElrath, Stephen C. De Rosa, Kristen W. Cohen, Georgi Shukarev, Michael Katwere, Cynthia Robinson, Auguste Gaddah, Dirk Heerwegh, Viki Bockstal, Kerstin Luhn, Maarten Leyssen, Rodolphe Thiebaut, Macaya Douoguih
Summary: This study assessed the safety, tolerability, and immunogenicity of the heterologous 2-dose Ad26.ZEBOV, MVA-BN-Filo vaccination regimen in African adolescents and children. The results showed that the vaccination regimen was well tolerated with no vaccine-related serious adverse events. All vaccinees produced antibodies against the Ebola virus, with higher immune responses observed in the group with a 56-day interval between doses.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
David Godding, Richard O. J. H. Stutt, Titus Alicai, Phillip Abidrabo, Geoffrey Okao-Okuja, Christopher A. A. Gilligan
Summary: The productivity of smallholder farmers in sub-Saharan Africa is greatly affected by pests and pathogens, particularly the cassava brown streak disease, which is spreading rapidly and causing significant yield loss. The epidemic has reached as far west as central DRC and as far south as Zambia, posing a threat to production in West Africa, including Nigeria, the world's largest cassava producer. By developing a landscape-scale epidemic model and incorporating real-world management interventions, we can predict and inform policy decisions for all major cassava producing countries in sub-Saharan Africa.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Review
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Zemenu Yohannes Kassa, Vanessa Scarf, Deborah Fox
Summary: This study aimed to assess the impact of Ebola virus disease (EVD) on maternal health service utilization and perinatal outcomes. The results showed a significant decrease in antenatal care during EVD and efforts to recover post-EVD. Women were less likely to have institutional childbirth during EVD and struggled to recover post-EVD. The study recommends implementing locally tailored interventions to increase the utilization of maternal health services during and after EVD outbreaks.
REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH
(2022)
Review
Virology
Toufik Abdul-Rahman, Lukman Lawal, Emily Meale, Oyinbolaji A. Ajetunmobi, Soyemi Toluwalashe, Uthman Hassan Alao, Shankhaneel Ghosh, Neil Garg, Abdullahi Tunde Aborode, Andrew Awuah Wireko, Aashna Mehta, Kateryna Sikora
Summary: The Ebola virus has caused multiple outbreaks in Africa with high fatality rates. Social factors such as human mobility, behavior, and cultural norms contribute to the transmission risk. However, challenges including lagging vaccine production pose a risk of another outbreak.
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL VIROLOGY
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Jose-Maria Garcia-Carrasco, Antonio-Roman Munoz, Jesus Olivero, Marina Segura, Raimundo Real
Summary: This study created a database of WNV presence in Africa and used biogeographic models to determine the drivers of its distribution. Wetlands and human-related factors were found to play important roles in the spread of WNV. Understanding high-risk areas can help manage the disease and comprehend its transmission through avian migration routes outside Africa.
EMERGING INFECTIOUS DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Ronan F. Arthur, Lily M. Horng, Amos F. Tandanpolie, John R. Gilstad, Lucy K. Tantum, Stephen P. Luby
Summary: The majority of disease transmission during the 2014-16 West Africa Ebola epidemic was driven by difficult-to-change community-based behaviors influenced by misinformation, denial, and distrust of government. A 2018 study conducted in Liberia found that some behaviors adopted during Ebola persisted, while others reverted, and distrust of the government and denial of the epidemic continued. This suggests a persistent lack of trust in the biomedical paradigm and government health institutions in Liberia.