Ebola Virus Disease: An Evolving Epidemic

Learn about the evolving Ebola epidemic and its various aspects including disease prevention, management and treatment, response to the epidemic, ethical considerations, and the post-Ebola global health landscape.

• Introduction to Ebola
• Upon completion of this module, learners will be able to: Review the state of global public health prior to the 2014 Ebola epidemic. Explore the etiology of Ebola and other viral hematic fevers. Explain the epidemiology of the 2014 Ebola epidemic and why this outbreak is different than previous ones. Explain why tropical forest-associated zoonotic pathogens like Ebola are emerging at an ever-increasing rate. Recognize drivers of disease spillover from wildlife to people and discuss how to mitigate disease spillover.
• Patient Care of Persons with Ebola Virus Disease
• Upon completion of this module, learners will be able to: Identify the clinical features of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD). Discuss risk assessment as it relates to the selection of personal protective equipment (PPE). Explain the differences between donning and doffing. Recognize the lessons learned from providing care to Ebola patients in the United States.
• Prevention, Treatment, and Response
• Upon completion of this module, learners will be able to: List the different types of therapeutics for Ebola Virus Disease. Recognize the factors critical to the creation of a successful Ebola vaccine. Define plasma and recognize its importance in the Ebola treatment process. Discuss the response of various international actors to the Ebola epidemic. Recognize the role of communications both in terms of community level in West Africa, as well as at Emory University.
• Laboratory Issues
• Upon completion of this module, learners will be able to: Discuss clinical laboratory considerations for Ebola Virus Disease.Differentiate between persons under investigation and persons with confirmed EVD. Identify where and how EVD laboratory testing is performed. Recognize the safety concerns surrounding the disposal of specimens and human remains. Explore the immune response to EVD and discuss the implications for future therapeutics and vaccines.
• Managing Potential and Diagnosed Ebola Patients
• Upon completion of this module, learners will be able to: Describe the typical presentation and differential diagnosis of patients with suspect EVD. Describe the approach and necessary precautions for evaluating a patient with suspect EVD. Identify the necessary precautions for transportation of a patient with EVD. Define quarantine and analyze quarantine polices.Recognize the ways in which public health program choices, such as isolation and quarantine, require consideration of ethical, human rights, and legal principles.
• How Ebola is Changing Global Health
• Upon completion of this module, learners will be able to: Describe the importance of health systems as they relate to the Ebola epidemic. Define and list characteristics of resilient health systems. Consider how the Ebola epidemic has changed global health.