Ebola Update

Having made valuable contributions to the Ebola outbreak response, most of the R2HC-funded Ebola projects are now in the second half of their 12 month implementation phases, and are focusing on writing and submitting papers for publication.

The University of Oxford: Predicting the geographic spread of Ebola virus disease in West Africa
Has provided continuously updated, high resolution maps of EVD importation risk in West Africa. This vital work has guided the allocation of resources and surveillance for disease control.Aspects of this work were presented at the recent Targeting Ebola World Conference held at the Pasteur Institute, Paris May 28-29 2015. See maps here.

International Rescue Committee: Participatory behavioural change to reinforce infection prevention and control for Ebola virus disease in Sierra Leone
International Rescue Committee collected data on knowledge and risk perceptions amongst health workers with respect to adherence to standard precautions for infection prevention and control. The research took into consideration barriers and enablers that impact adherence. Manuscripts have been drafted and additional papers targeting broader audiences are foreseen.

Institut Pasteur Dakar: Point-of-care EVD diagnostic testing for Ebola treatment centres
This project developed a product has been used successfully for Ebola testing in treatment centres. The ‘Lab in a Suitcase’ that has been in high demand and is currently on display at the London Science Museum.

London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and the University of Sussex: Ebola Response Anthropological Platform
The platform was instrumental in providing key information from anthropologists from around the world on how to engage with crucial socio-cultural and political dimensions of the Ebola outbreak, which enabled locally appropriate interventions.

Umea University: Development of a social marketing strategy to promote Ebola treatment-seeking behaviour in Sierra Leone
By collecting and analysing communication messages a social marketing strategy to promote Ebola treatment-seeking behaviour in Sierra Leone was developed. This ensured that awareness was raised about Ebola treatment and services in the early stages of the outbreak.

London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine: Modelling Ebola in West Africa
mathematical modelling of EVD in West Africa has been fully operational since November 2014, with data being made available to assist with planning for the response, through provision of predictions covering every district in all three affected countries. Situation reports were shared with the national Governments, DFID,the UK Cabinet Office, WHO, MSF and other NGOs involved in the response.

University of Westminster: EbolaCheck
The EbolaCheck aimed to deliver a 40 minute point-of need-diagnostic deveise suitable for simple, rapid and safe patient treatment triage at Ebola treatment centres.. Adaptation of the tool for West Africa has been completed, scientific and engineering challenges addressed and continual adjustments made of the clinical diagnostic assays for use in the field. Efforts are focusing now on accessing and testing samples in an environment where the number of Ebola infections has significantly decreased.

Platform for Dialogue and Peace
An eights R2HC project has started this month that will investigate understanding of the Ebola outbreak by traditional healers and the extent to which local populations have utilised their services.