Historical parallels, Ebola virus disease and cholera: understanding community distrust and social violence with epidemics

Cohn, S. and Kutalek, R. (2016) Historical parallels, Ebola virus disease and cholera: understanding community distrust and social violence with epidemics. PLoS Currents Outbreaks, 2016(Ed. 1), (doi: 10.1371/currents.outbreaks.aa1f2b60e8d43939b43fbd93e1a63a94) (PMID:26865987) (PMCID:PMC4739438)

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Abstract

In the three West African countries most affected by the recent Ebola virus disease (EVD) outbreak, resistance to public health measures contributed to the startling speed and persistence of this epidemic in the region. But how do we explain this resistance, and how have people in these communities understood their actions? By comparing these recent events to historical precedents during Cholera outbreaks in Europe in the 19th century we show that these events have not been new to history or unique to Africa. Community resistance must be analysed in context and go beyond simple single-variable determinants. Knowledge and respect of the cultures and beliefs of the afflicted is essential for dealing with threatening disease outbreaks and their potential social violence.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Cohn, Professor Samuel
Authors: Cohn, S., and Kutalek, R.
College/School:College of Arts & Humanities > School of Humanities > History
Journal Name:PLoS Currents Outbreaks
Publisher:Public Library of Science
ISSN:2157-3999
ISSN (Online):2157-3999
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2016 The Authors
First Published:First published in PLoS Currents Outbreaks 2016 (ed. 1)
Publisher Policy:Reproduced under a Creative Commons License

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Project CodeAward NoProject NamePrincipal InvestigatorFunder's NameFunder RefLead Dept
639041Epidemics: Waves of disease, waves of hate, from the Plague of Athens to AIDSSamuel CohnLeverhulme Trust (LEVERHULME)MRF-2013-068HU - HISTORY