The Response and the Outbreak of Ebola Virus Disease in Nigeria, 2014

Hsin-Yi Wei, Wan-Chin Chen, Yi-Chun Lo

2014 Vol.30 NO.21

Correspondence Author： Hsin-Yi Wei

Abstract：

       On 23 July 2014, Nigeria was recognized as the fourth country in West Africa with Ebola virus disease (EVD) outbreaks. A total of 19 patients were confirmed and 8 were dead. The outbreaks had been contained and no further case occurredsince 31 August. On 20 October, 2014, WHO declared the end of Ebola outbreak in Nigeria. One key element for successful EVD control was the rapid response for activating an Ebola Emergency Operations Center (EEOC) by using Incident Management System (IMS). The EEOC effectively coordinated all available public health resources and applied real-time technology in contact tracing and logistics management. They handled difficult contact tracing with the assistance of psychosocial support team and social mobilization by conducting house-to-house visiting. In addition, the alert and rumor surveillance helped to discover and monitor new cases. This article describes the Nigeria experience and offers lessons to preparedness.