20 research outputs found
Ebola response in Sierra Leone: The impact on children
The West African Ebola virus disease (EVD) outbreak is the largest ever seen, with over 28,000 cases and 11,300 deaths since early 2014. The magnitude of the outbreak has tested fragile governmental health systems and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to their limit. Here we discuss the outbreak in the Western Area of Sierra Leone, the shape of the local response and the impact the response had on caring for children suspected of having contracted EVD. Challenges encountered in providing clinical care to children whilst working in the “Red Zone” where risk of EVD is considered to be highest, wearing full personal protective equipment are detailed. Suggestions and recommendations both for further research and for operational improvement in the future are made, with particular reference as to how a response could be more child-focused
Risk in the "Red Zone": Outcomes for Children Admitted to Ebola Holding Units in Sierra Leone Without Ebola Virus Disease.
We collected data on 1054 children admitted to Ebola Holding Units in Sierra Leone and describe outcomes of 697/1054 children testing negative for Ebola virus disease (EVD) and accompanying caregivers. Case-fatality was 9%; 3/630 (0.5%) children discharged testing negative were readmitted EVD-positive. Nosocomial EVD transmission risk may be lower than feared
Novel surveillance methods for the control of Ebola virus disease.
The unprecedented scale of the 2013-2016 West African Ebola virus disease (EVD) outbreak was in a large part due to failings in surveillance: contacts of confirmed cases were not systematically identified, monitored and diagnosed early, and new cases appearing in previously unaffected communities were similarly not rapidly identified, diagnosed and isolated. Over the course of this epidemic, traditional surveillance methods were strengthened and novel methods introduced. The wealth of experience gained, and the systems introduced in West Africa, should be used in future EVD outbreaks, as well as for other communicable diseases in the region and beyond
Ebola Holding Units at government hospitals in Sierra Leone: evidence for a flexible and effective model for safe isolation, early treatment initiation, hospital safety and health system functioning.
Tubercular liver abscess: an uncommon presentation of disseminated tuberculosis.
We present a case of tubercular liver abscess with disseminated tuberculosis, associated with underlying HIV infection. The patient responded well to percutaneous drainage of the abscess and first-line quadruple antitubercular therapy. We report this case to highlight a rare manifestation of a common disease and to create greater awareness which may ensure timely diagnosis and avoid unnecessary surgical intervention
Tubercular liver abscess: an uncommon presentation of disseminated tuberculosis
We present a case of tubercular liver abscess with disseminated tuberculosis, associated with underlying HIV infection. The patient responded well to percutaneous drainage of the abscess and first-line quadruple antitubercular therapy. We report this case to highlight a rare manifestation of a common disease and to create greater awareness which may ensure timely diagnosis and avoid unnecessary surgical intervention
Acute hepatitis E virus infection in a migrant population in North East Italy : A retrospective analysis
Objective To study the epidemiological and clinical features of Hepatitis E Virus (HEV) infection in a migrant population.
Methods We performed a retrospective chart review, identifying a cohort of 21 symptomatic patients of migrant origin with confirmed HEV infection admitted in the period between January 1995 - November 2014.
Results 20 (95%) patients came from South Asian countries highly endemic for HEV, all positive
for HEV genotype 1. Recent travel to a highly endemic country was the most consistent risk factor
identified in 90% of cases, duration from return to Italy to hospitalisation ranged from 10 to120
days. Nausea and vomiting (100%), jaundice (95.2%), and anorexia (85.7%) were the most
common reported symptoms. Fever was present in 57.1% of cases. Transaminase values were
elevated in all patients and serum bilirubin was raised in 86% of patients. We found no statistically
significant differences between clinical symptoms, laboratory results or duration of hospitalisation
in patients with co-morbidities compared to those without. We also report a secondary case of HEV
genotype 1 transmitted within Italy.
Conclusion Our study highlights the epidemiological risk factors and clinical features of HEV
infection in a migrant population in Italy and should stimulate further research regarding the
prevalence and morbidity of HEV within migrant populations in Europe
Evaluation of a point-of-care blood test for identification of Ebola virus disease at Ebola holding units, Western Area, Sierra Leone, January to February 2015
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