The Journal of infection
-
The Journal of infection · Mar 2017
Network visualization for outbreak response: Mapping the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) chains of transmission in N'Zérékoré, Guinea.
During the 2014-2015 Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) outbreak in N'Zérékoré, Forested Guinea, modes of transmission remained unexamined for a number of new cases. We used network visualization to investigate EVD transmission chains (TC) in seven sub-prefectures of N'Zérékoré in order to adapt outbreak response. ⋯ Network visualization during field response is crucial in enhancing local control strategies, refining outbreak response and aiding rapid response teams in insuring psychosocial and socio-economic recovery. Urban settings need to focus on reducing hospital EVD transmission whereas rural settings should focus on raising awareness of transmission within a household and safeguarding EVD burials.