Costs and benefits of early response in the Ebola virus disease outbreak in Sierra Leone

Abstract

Background: The 2014-2016 Ebola virus disease (EVD) outbreak in West Africa was the largest EVD outbreak recorded, which has triggered calls for investments that would facilitate an even earlier response. This study aims to estimate the costs and health effects of earlier interventions in Sierra Leone. Methods: A deterministic and a stochastic compartment model describing the EVD outbreak was estimated using a variety of data sources. Costs and Disability-Adjusted Life Years were used to estimate and compare scenarios of earlier interventions. Results: Four weeks earlier interventions would have averted 10,257 (IQR 4353-18,813) cases and 8835 (IQR 3766-16,316) deaths. This implies 456 (IQR 194-841) thousand DALYs and 203 (IQR 87-374) million $US saved. The greatest losses occurred outside the healthcare sector. Conclusions: Earlier response in an Ebola outbreak saves lives and costs. Investments in healthcare system facilitating such responses are needed and can offer good value for money.

Economic evaluations of interventions against viral pandemics: a scoping review

“…Cost effectiveness was reported in 22 studies (61%), 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 , 38 , 39 , 40 , 41 , 42 , 43 , 44 , 45 , 46 , 47 , 48 , 49 , 50 , 51 , 52 , 53 , 54 , 55 four (11%) stated cost benefit, 55 , 56 , 57 , 58 , 59 two (4%) a cost utility, 53 , 55 , 60 , 61 , 62 three (8%) a cost-minimisation analysis 63 , 64 , 65 , 66 and five (14%) reported multiple analyses. 53 , 54 , 55 , 60 , 66 …”

“…Nineteen studies included estimates acquired from published literature. 34 , 35 , 36 , 37 , 39 , 40 , 46 , 47 , 48 , 49 , 50 , 51 , 52 , 55 , 56 , 57 , 60 , 61 , 62 , 63 , 65 , 66 National or official statistical resources were used in 17 studies. 31 , 34 , 36 , 40 , 41 , 43 , 44 , 45 , 47 , 49 , 50 , 54 , 56 , 57 , 58 , 60 , 66 Five studies used aggregate or patient-level data from local hospital resources.…”

“…Four studies (11%) 43 , 59 , 62 , 63 stated a specific approach to value productivity: the human capital approach. In this approach, income acts as a proxy for the production value of the individual.…”

COVID-19: A Global Emergency

“…The "cytokine storm" can result in a fatal respiratory depression, a need for mechanical ventilation, and sequalae associated with the microthrombi. The 2014-2016 outbreak of EVD in West Africa is the largest recorded EVD outbreak [29]. The detection of viral ribonucleic acid based on polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) is a standard for testing EBOVs [30].…”

COVID-19, information management by local governments, and food consumption

“…It is critical, therefore, to identify institutions that are both responsive to standard policy protocols and adaptable to changing ground realities during implementation. There is some evidence which suggests that early response by local institutions to shocks mitigated the loss of life and assets ( Undp, 2018 , Kellerborg et al, 2020 ).…”