Congruent estimates of Chikungunya attack rate were observed at the upsurge of La Réunion Island outbreak, either using clinical declaration of suspected cases (16.5%), or a rapid serosurvey in pregnant women (18.2%).
Despite the early lack of coordination in West Africa, and despite declarations that this outbreak is more difficult to contain because of poverty, recent civil disturbance and war, there is no time for excuses.
"It is simply unacceptable that, five months after the declaration of this outbreak, serious discussions are only now starting about international leadership and co-ordination," said MSF director of operations Brice de la Vigne.
MSF said its early warnings of an "unprecedented" situation in March last year were dismissed as "alarmist", with the WHO calling into question its declaration that this outbreak was different to those before in places such as the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Five more HCWs, however, all members of the EHF case management team, became infected after the declaration of the outbreak and the introduction of barrier nursing.
Despite the timely detection and initiation of investigations during the 30th epidemiologic week, the successive transmission cycles indicated delayed laboratory confirmation and declaration of the outbreak.
Declaration of an outbreak should ideally take into account the level of baseline transmission, but such an approach will require markedly enhancing surveillance and laboratory capacity.
The impact on children doesn't end today CONAKRY, Guinea, 29 December 2015 – Almost two years to the day when a toddler became the first victim of Ebola in West Africa, UNICEF welcomed the declaration that the outbreak has ended in Guinea, but cautioned that the thousands of children orphaned by the disease, as well as those who survived infection, will need continued support.
CONAKRY, 29 December 2015 – Almost two years to the day when a toddler became the first victim of Ebola in West Africa, UNICEF welcomed the declaration that the outbreak has ended in Guinea, but cautioned that the thousands of children orphaned by the disease, as well as those who survived infection, will need continued support.
Watch this video about the trail of trauma in Guinea - the ground zero of the Ebola epidemic: Spreading the word to fight Ebola Since the declaration of the outbreak in Guinea, UNICEF has delivered medicines, medical supplies and equipment to manage cases and protect children and their families in the most affected areas.
