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Background

The outbreak of Ebola virus disease (EVD) that began in 2013 in West Africa had by December 2015, resulted in over 28,000 cases. Although estimates of the number of people affected during the outbreak vary, up to 10,000 EVD survivors may require convalescent care. A number of both short- and long-term medical problems have been reported in EVD survivors, including mental health issues for both survivors and other family and community members (1-19). In addition, increasing recognition that Ebola virus may persist in selected body compartments of EVD survivors, most notably in the semen of males, brings awareness of the possibility of reintroduction of the virus in areas where transmission has previously been eliminated. EVD survivors need comprehensive support for the medical and psychosocial challenges they face and also to minimize the risk of continued Ebola virus transmission, especially from sexual transmission. This document provides guidance on providing the necessary care and services for clinical care and virus testing, and should be used to guide the planning and delivery of ongoing health services to people who have recovered from EVD. 

A majority of Ebola survivors suffer some form of long-term brain health problems, according to a new study.

Patients who were successfully treated for the disease were found to have neurological issues six months later.

The most common problems included muscle pain, headaches, memory loss and depressed moods, but in rare cases patients were suicidal, the US researchers said.

Two years after the outbreak of Ebola in West Africa, Kamanda Kamara, committee member youth advisers Plan International Sierra Leone, published on his blog about the participation of people in the battle to contain the virus and how their work has contributed to change in communities. "It is important to continue working and investing funds in structural reforms to strengthen health systems," said Concha Lopez, CEO of Plan International Spain.

During the outbreak of ebola I saw many people infected and even die in my community. I thought it was, somehow, help save my community and end this terrible disease.

As world leaders grapple with containing the Zika virus, the Ebola epidemic in West Africa provides valuable lessons for how to respond to other infectious disease epidemics, according to a policy report published by researchers at Princeton University and the Wellcome Trust.  

Rebuilding local health care infrastructures, improving capacity to respond more quickly to outbreaks and considering multiple perspectives across disciplines during decision-making processes are among the key recommendations the authors propose.