An Ebola Outbreak : Lessons from the 2014-2015 Epidemic (Hardcover)

Prelude to an outbreak - Early detection and warnings; prevention attempts ignored. Viral Hemorrhagic Fevers: Lassa and Undiagnosed Fever in Western Africa. Regional health, economic and social challenges. Health Care Systems in West Africa. Political reality before the outbreak. Early Outbreak Indications and Challenges. Opportunity to control outbreak early lost. Clinical approaches early- Focus on Patient isolation and case contact monitoring. Diagnosis Dilemmas - defining a case and the limits of a test. Outbreak out of control ? Clinical Sites Overwhelmed. Fighting a Forrest Fire with a Water Gun. Uncoordinated Foreign Assistance Arrives. International Resources Arrive. Ebola Isolation Units begin to transition to Ebola Treatment Units. Emergency Clinical Trials. Contrast of the clinical experience in Africa versus Europe and US. The Balance Between Protecting Patients’ Rights and Saving Lives. Clinical Trials Conducted. Science in the laboratory during an outbreak. Outbreak Declared Over but Survivors Continue to Suffer and Capacity Issue Remain. Billions of dollar bolus: Does more money help stop/prevent an outbreak? Value of Coordination ? National and Global Coordination Efforts. Sequela of an Outbreak. Lessons Learned and will We Learn? Impact of Ebola on the Region and on the Nation. Leap Frog Technology- how can it help sustain capacity. Sustainable Public Health and Health Care Systems to Prevent Outbreaks. References and links.