Toward Health System Recovery in the Aftermath of Ebola Outbreak in Guinea: New Approaches for Improved Knowledge of Target Populations at the Community Level.

Background: Before the COVID-19 pandemic, Guinea has been the epicenter of the huge West Africa Ebola outbreak (2014-2016), that impact heavily the health system. Demographic information is one of the most basic data sources for health systems and services delivery, and yet can be very difficult to obtain with any accuracy. The objectives were to contribute among other to: (i) a determination of the catchment area (health coverage area and responsibility) of the Kirikilan health facility (PCM); (ii) geocoded mapping to find out exactly where these populations per sector of Kirikilan neighborhood lives; (iii) an approach for regular and systematic annual demographic follow up of target populations.

Plasma Proteomic Analysis Distinguishes Severity Outcomes of Human Ebola Virus Disease.

Ebola virus (EBV) disease (EVD) is a highly virulent systemic disease characterized by an aggressive systemic inflammatory response and impaired vascular and coagulation systems, often leading to uncontrolled hemorrhaging and death. In this study, the proteomes of 38 sequential plasma samples from 12 confirmed EVD patients were analyzed. Of these 12 cases, 9 patients received treatment with interferon beta 1a (IFN-β-1a), 8 survived EVD, and 4 died; 2 of these 4 fatalities had received IFN-β-1a.

Longitudinal antibody and T cell responses in Ebola virus disease survivors and contacts: an observational cohort study.

Background: The 2013-16 Ebola virus disease epidemic in west Africa caused international alarm due to its rapid and extensive spread resulting in a significant death toll and social unrest within the affected region. The large number of cases provided an opportunity to study the long-term kinetics of Zaire ebolavirus-specific immune response of survivors in addition to known contacts of those infected with the virus.

Methods: In this observational cohort study, we worked with leaders of Ebola virus disease survivor associations in two regions of Guinea, Guéckédou and Coyah, to recruit survivors of Ebola virus disease, contacts from households of individuals known to have had Ebola virus disease, and individuals who were not knowingly associated with infected individuals or had not had Ebola virus disease symptoms to serve as negative controls.