WHO EPI-WIN webinar: Ready to respond to an outbreak of Ebola or Marburg disease - what's new in WHO

Ebola and Marburg Haemorrhagic fever are both severe and highly fatal diseases. They are caused by different viruses but of the same family. Ebola disease and Marburg disease outbreaks continue to occur in Africa, with increased frequency. In addition to resulting in high mortality and morbidity, the outbreaks generate fear and mistrust about the response activities within the communities affected.

Infection prevention and control (IPC) is a key pillar in the outbreak response; adherence to IPC practices can prevent and control transmission of infections to health and care workers, patients and their family members. n 2021, the WHO Health Emergencies (WHE) IPC team reviewed existing WHO documents and identified a need to re-evaluate and update guidance. Hence, a WHO Guideline Development Group (GDG) has been working since mid-2021 to update the 2014 WHO interim IPC guidance on filovirus haemorrhagic fever with a focus on Ebola disease and Marburg disease. This update consists of a consolidated WHO guideline that follows the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) and evidence-to-decision (EtD) methodology.

The objectives of this webinar are:

Promote awareness of the newly published evidence-based guideline for Infection prevention and control for Ebola and Marburg disease.

Discuss updated and new recommendations.

Share a country experience implementing these recommendations during an outbreak response.

Speakers:

Dr Sylvie Briand, Director,
Epidemic and Pandemic Preparedness and Prevention, WHO

Dr Nedret Emiroglu, Director
Country Readiness Strengthening for Health Emergencies, WHO

Ms Victoria Willet, IPC Technical Officer
Health Emergencies Programme, WHO

Dr Folasade Ogunsola, Vice Chancellor
Lagos University Teaching Hospital
Co-Chair of Infection Prevention and Control Guideline Development Group for Ebola and Marburg Disease

Dr Eizabeth Katwesigye, IPC Specialist
Ministry of Health, Uganda

The EPI-WIN webinar is presented by Dr Agnese Pastorino, Consultant, WHO Information Network for Epidemics (EPI-WIN), WHO Headquarters.