STAT

The Ebola response effort is struggling. Experts say these steps could help

The Ebola containment effort is struggling. Experts say there's a way to right the response.
Health workers carry the coffin containing of an Ebola victim in Butembo, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

With Ebola response teams struggling to contain the outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the World Health Organization and its partners can make changes to shore up their effort and try to prevent the crisis from escalating further, according to a handful of experts surveyed by STAT.

The experts are wary of criticizing WHO officials and others trying desperately to stop the virus from spreading. Violence aimed at Ebola response workers and a refusal to cooperate with control measures in some communities has rendered this outbreak, the second largest on record, unlike anything the world of Ebola responders has seen before. There have been repeated attacked on Ebola treatment centers, and on many days response workers have been unable to move about in outbreak hotspots.

At the same time, the experts believe global health officials have opportunities to bolster their efforts.

Here are three.

Good data are key

The foundation

You’re reading a preview, subscribe to read more.

More from STAT

STAT2 min read
STAT+: Pharmalittle: We’re Reading About Lilly’s Zepbound For Sleep Apnea, The FDA Budget, And More
Eli Lilly reported positive results for Zepbound in obstructive sleep apnea, giving the medication a new edge in the highly competitive obesity market.
STAT1 min read
STAT+: In Large Trial, Guardant Health’s Blood Test Detects Colon Cancer, But Less Reliably At Earliest Or Precancerous Stages
If approved, Guardant Health’s liquid biopsy is likely to be a strong new addition to colorectal cancer screening tools, particularly for patients who currently choose not to get screened.
STAT2 min read
STAT+: Pharmalittle: We’re Reading About An OptumRx Contract, 340B Dispute Resolution, And More
Cardinal Health announced its pharmaceutical distribution contracts with UnitedHealth's OptumRx unit will not be renewed after they expire in June.

Related