A Modified Case Definition to Facilitate Essential Hospital Care During Ebola Outbreaks. (18th September 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Huizenga, Erdi; van der Ende, Jacob; Zwinkels, Nick; Jimissa, Augustine; van der Ende-Bouwman, Carolien; van Rooijen, Ruurd; Kargbo, Brima; Agnandji, Selidji T; Hanscheid, Thomas; Goorhuis, Abraham; Grobusch, Martin P
• Is Part Of: Clinical infectious diseases. Volume 68:Number 10(2019)
• Page Start: 1763
• Page End: 1768
• Publication Date: 2018-09-18
• Subjects: case definition -- Ebola virus disease -- essential patient care -- fever -- Sierra Leone; Communicable diseases -- Periodicals; 616.905
• DOI: 10.1093/cid/ciy798
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1058-4838

Abstract

Abstract: During the late phase of the large West-African Ebola virus disease (EVD) outbreak, the majority of patients were cared for in designated treatment centers. However, the preexisting healthcare infrastructure was already overwhelmed by the outbreak. This had a huge impact on other, non-EVD–related diseases, causing an unprecedented increase in morbidity and mortality, which most likely exceeded the toll due to EVD directly. Consequently, a crucial question is how to provide appropriate healthcare and safeguard functionality of a healthcare system that also serves patients not suspected or diagnosed to have EVD. Here, we report on the Lion Heart Medical Center's experience in Sierra Leone and note that a case definition of Ebola that is broader than those commonly applied may be better suited when it is necessary to identify atypically presenting, pauci-symptomatic cases. Abstract : Standard Ebola case definitions are appropriate for screening approaches in treatment centers. However, a broader case definition may be needed when it is necessary to identify atypically presenting, pauci-symptomatic cases.