Ebola response in Sierra Leone: The impact on children - 21/06/16

Doi : 10.1016/j.jinf.2016.04.016

Felicity Fitzgerald ^a,^b,^⁎ , Waheed Awonuga ^c , Tejshri Shah ^d , Daniel Youkee ^e
^a Infection, Immunity, Inflammation and Physiological Medicine, UCL Institute of Child Health, UK
^b Kerry Town Ebola Treatment Centre, Save the Children International, Sierra Leone
^c Live Case Management Team, Western Area Emergency Response Centre, Freetown, Sierra Leone
^d Department of Paediatric Infectious Diseases, Imperial College NHS Healthcare Trust, UK
^e Kings Sierra Leone Partnership, Connaught Hospital, Freetown, Sierra Leone

^∗Corresponding author. Infection, Immunity, Inflammation and Physiological Medicine, UCL Institute of Child Health, University College London, Gower Street, London, UK.Infection, Immunity, Inflammation and Physiological MedicineUCL Institute of Child HealthUniversity College LondonGower StreetLondonUK

Summary

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.

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Keywords : Ebola virus disease, Children, Paediatrics, Viral haemorrhagic fever