Since December 2013 and as of 21 September 2014, WHO reports 6 262 cases of Ebola virus disease (EVD), including 2 917 deaths, in Guinea, Liberia, Nigeria and Sierra Leone. This is the first outbreak of EVD in West Africa and it is unprecedented in size and geographical distribution, affecting densely populated urban areas.
Since the last epidemiological update on Ebola virus disease (EVD) published on 9 January 2015, and as of 12 January 2015, WHO has reported 357 additional cases in the affected countries and 185 additional deaths.
ECDC comments on two studies published on 14 October 2015 in the New England Journal of Medicine provide insights into sexual transmission of Ebola virus and the duration of virus persistence in semen.
The peer-review visits identified some common good practices as well as a large degree of similarity in the challenges faced in preparing for possible Ebola cases.
Despite a dramatic improvement of the epidemiological situation in Guinea in 2015, the elimination of human transmission of the Ebola virus will require sustained efforts over the next few months. ECDC will continue deploying experts to Guinea to contribute to the field work related to surveillance and response activities, under the World Health Organization's Global Outbreak Alert and Response Network (GOARN) umbrella.
Results from a recent vaccine trial, conducted by collaborating health authorities, possibly represent a major breakthrough in the control of Ebola virus disease.