Projected Treatment Capacity Needs in Sierra Leone

Conclusion The largest outbreak of EVD in history is ongoing in Sierra Leone, with no indications as of 2014-12-04 that incidence is decreasing. Although concerted effort is being made by local authorities and the international community to stop transmission, current treatment and isolation facilities are insufficient. If the outbreak continues to spread, the response will be further complicated as the number of cases will overwhelm planned interventions. ETCs may not be flexible enough to accommodate the changing epidemiology of the outbreak and the number of international staff required to run sufficient facilities will be difficult to recruit. If the urgent need for isolation and treatment is not met, other control measures must be available, including community-based approaches to treatment and isolation, as well as development of a vaccine that can protect the susceptible population.
Source: PLOS Currents Outbreaks - Category: Epidemiology Authors: Source Type: research