Global Health Ebola Update 11/12

EBOLA

Outbreak Backgrounder
Why West Africa? Why now? This PLOS pre-review article tackles the 2 key questions of the Ebola epidemic. Authors from Virginia Tech, Columbia and elsewhere review the “sociological, ecological, and environmental drivers” behind the outbreak. They detail possible routes of pathogen spillover—how the virus might move from bats to nonhuman primates and possibly duikers (first time we've heard that one) and into human populations. They also look into other possible influences on the outbreak including seasonal, meteorological and human impact (everything from conflict and mobility to encroachment on the Guinean forest).

It’s a valuable, fast-read survey of the factors behind Ebola in West Africa. (The citations alone are worth a gander.)
** PLOS Blogs (http://jhsph.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=0a43ad874dbe00d8f0545cfef&id=8c1f3c47d4&e=9c1fcebfa3)

Related: Mali confirms new case of Ebola, locks down Bamako clinic – ** Reuters (http://jhsph.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=0a43ad874dbe00d8f0545cfef&id=cd5b63d8c9&e=9c1fcebfa3)

Related: Resurging Ebola: New Cases Highlight Complacency Concerns – ** Front Page Africa (http://jhsph.us3.list-manage2.com/track/click?u=0a43ad874dbe00d8f0545cfef&id=801f12c0eb&e=9c1fcebfa3)


Related: AU sends 2nd batch of Ebola medical team – ** The New Dawn (Liberia) (http://jhsph.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=0a43ad874dbe00d8f0545cfef&id=07b9da384d&e=9c1fcebfa3)


Related: West Africa’s Expat Community Dwindles Amid Ebola – ** Associated Press (http://jhsph.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=0a43ad874dbe00d8f0545cfef&id=cf0fc142b1&e=9c1fcebfa3)