Ebola Virus Disease
The current outbreak of Ebola virus disease (EVD) is in West Africa. There have not been any cases of Ebola in the Caribbean, and the overall risk assessment for the Caribbean region remains low. Continued monitoring of the situation will be conducted by the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA). The level of risk may change as new information becomes available.
Ebola virus disease (EVD) is one of numerous viral hemorrhagic fevers. It is a severe, often fatal disease in humans and nonhuman primates (such as monkeys, gorillas, and chimpanzees). Ebola is caused by infection with a virus of the family Filoviridae, genus Ebolavirus. When infection occurs, symptoms usually begin abruptly. The first Ebolavirus species was discovered in 1976 in what is now the Democratic Republic of the Congo near the Ebola River. Since then, outbreaks have appeared sporadically.
Event Summary
An outbreak of Ebola virus disease (EVD) in West Africa was first reported in March 2014. The outbreak continues and is the largest and most complex outbreak of EVD ever reported since the Ebola virus was first discovered in 1976. Up to date case counts and further information on the ongoing outbreaks in Africa can be found on the World Health Organization website.
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CARPHA Statement on Ebola
“October 30, 2014. The Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) is responsible for preventing disease, promoting and protecting health. Key functions of the Agency include providing leadership and coordination of regional public health responses to public health emergencies in the Caribbean. In light of the World Health Organization's declaration of the West-African Outbreak of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern and bearing in mind the reality of rapid international travel, CARPHA seeks to keep the Caribbean population abreast of the Ebola public health issue and of the mechanisms being put in place to address this issue.
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CARPHA Response to the Ebola Epidemic in West Africa
“The Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA), together with CARPHA Member States (CMS), Pan American Health Organization (PAHO)/World Health Organization (WHO) and other regional and international partners, is taking active steps to prepare the region in response to the 2014 Ebola outbreak in West Africa. To date, no cases of Ebola virus disease (EVD) have been reported in the Caribbean region. However, in the region of the Americas, US authorities have reported four cases, including one death, from EVD.
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Additional Resources
World Health Organization (WHO)
U.S. Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
U.S. Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)