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1 [1] (August 8, 2014)

handle is hein.crs/crsmthaadkt0001 and id is 1 raw text is: ~Congressional Research Service ~~Inforing the legislative debate sirce 1914 August 8, 2014 Ebola: 2014 Outbreak in West Africa Overview An ongoing outbreak of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD), the largest, most persistent ever documented, and the first in West Africa, began in March 2014 in Guinea, Sierra Leone, and Liberia (the affected countries) and has spread to Nigeria. More people have contracted and died from EVD in this outbreak than in any single prior outbreak. In the current outbreak, the case fatality rate (the estimated percentage of infected persons dying) is about 55%; past outbreak rates have ranged between 41% and 88%. Prior human EVD outbreaks had occurred in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Gabon, Sudan, and Uganda, primarily in rural and forested areas (Figure 2). The current outbreak is more geographically extensive and cases are emerging in both urban and rural settings. Health experts are accelerating efforts to contain the outbreak, as transmission in densely populated urban areas may be far more difficult to control and lead to higher death tolls. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), from March through August 6, Ebola was known or suspected to have infected 1,779 persons and caused 961 deaths; of these, 1,134 cases had been confirmed in laboratories. persons face a high risk of infection, as do health care and funeral workers. Asymptomatic patients are not contagious. Symptoms. Symptoms typically include fever; weakness; head, joint, muscle, throat, and stomach aches; and then vomiting and diarrhea, rashes, and bleeding, often via the skin and from internal organs. Kidney and liver function may be impaired; white blood cell and platelet counts may drop; and shock and death may occur. Early symptoms are akin to many common illnesses. This may cause some infected persons not to seek treatment and may increase rates of EVD transmission. The incubation period (the time between viral infection and the onset of symptoms) ranges from 2 to 21 days, and is usually 8 to 10 days. Treatment. There is no cure for EVD, but EVD treatments and vaccines are being developed. Treatment focuses on balancing fluids and electrolytes; maintaining blood pressure and access to oxygen; and treating attendant complicating infections. Prompt treatment extends survival and recovery prospects. The current outbreak is bad. It's the biggest most complex and the first time it's been present in this region of the world. CDC Director, July 31, 2014 Figure I. Global Ebola Outbreaks: 1976-2014 7010 60 !400 200 1: 00 600 't 62 a Died Sur~ved ~C~se Far~lity Rate Tota Cases r4 S rN r 3N n N r . Source: Created by CRS based on 2014 WHO data. Ebola Viral Disease Transmission. Fruit bats are the suspected natural reservoir of EVD in West Africa, where some people consume bats and other potentially infected forest animals. Humans can contract EVD through exposure to bodily fluids of EVD- infected animals and persons, or through contact with contaminated surfaces or items (e.g., needles). Inter-human transmission is the suspected primary source of infection in West Africa. During outbreaks, close associates of infected Prevention. In clinical settings, suspected EVD cases are IW% isolated, and health workers wear personal protective equipment (PPE) and sterilize and avoid contact with contaminated objects, but some health centers in the Saffected are unable to undertake such responses. Lack of 70% knowledge of EVD in the region has hindered efforts to avert person-to-person transmission (see below), but public Mf education campaigns focusing on EVD prevention and non- stigmatization of known or suspected EVD patients are under way. Health workers are working with community Sleaders to develop alternatives to cultural practices (e.g., funeral rites and visiting the ill) that might spread EVD. Responses International Response. The WHO, which on August 8 declared EVD a Public Health Emergency of International Concern, is coordinating the international response to the outbreak. Through its Global Alert and Response Network (GOARN), WHO is coordinating with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), United Nations agencies, and others to support affected countries' responses. On July 31, WHO announced that it was launching a $100 million Ebola response plan, which will channel resources through the newly established Ebola Outbreak Coordination Center, in Conakry, Guinea. On August 4, 2014, the World Bank Group pledged up to $200 million in emergency funding to help the affected countries contain EVD. Such international support is critical; the www.crs.gov 1 7-5700 400 10 0,

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