Clinical care for survivors of Ebola virus disease

Background

The outbreak of Ebola virus disease (EVD) that began in 2013 in West Africa had by December 2015, resulted in over 28,000 cases. Although estimates of the number of people affected during the outbreak vary, up to 10,000 EVD survivors may require convalescent care. A number of both short- and long-term medical problems have been reported in EVD survivors, including mental health issues for both survivors and other family and community members (1-19). In addition, increasing recognition that Ebola virus may persist in selected body compartments of EVD survivors, most notably in the semen of males, brings awareness of the possibility of reintroduction of the virus in areas where transmission has previously been eliminated. EVD survivors need comprehensive support for the medical and psychosocial challenges they face and also to minimize the risk of continued Ebola virus transmission, especially from sexual transmission. This document provides guidance on providing the necessary care and services for clinical care and virus testing, and should be used to guide the planning and delivery of ongoing health services to people who have recovered from EVD. 

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