Lessons Learned

“Overview, Control Strategies, and Lessons Learned in the CDC Response to the 2014–2016 Ebola Epidemic.” MMWR Supplements 65, no. 3 (July 8, 2016). https://doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.su6503a2.

The West African Ebola epidemic is a vivid reminder that even in the 21^st century, disease can threaten not only people’s health, but also the cultural, social and economic foundations of countries and regions. At the peak of the epidemic in fall 2014, widespread transmission of Ebola virus was occurring in urban areas of the three most-affected countries; healthcare systems had become largely nonfunctional; Ebola cases or clusters occurred in other countries of Africa; and there was a real possibility that Ebola could spread widely and become endemic in some of the poorest and sickest countries of the world. 

The epidemic highlighted the need for stronger systems for disease surveillance, response, and prevention worldwide not only for global health security, but also because it’s the right thing to do. After a preventable and costly delay, heroic efforts by clinicians and public health personnel from local and international organizations broke the cycle of exponential growth of the number of cases, and prevented many deaths.

As the epidemic evolved, governments, agencies, and organizations directly involved in the Ebola response, including CDC, analyzed their actions in order to adjust tactics and strategies. These analyses led to multiple “lessons learned” reports, followed by international policy and think tanks groups’ commentaries. Here in the U.S., we reflected upon the public response to Ebola on our shores. Collectively, these reports inform our understanding of the 2014-16 Ebola epidemic, and help prepare for future global health emergencies.