Emerging Infectious Disease Surveillance and Community Engagement in Guinea ^†

Abstract

Background: Studies have shown that Guinea is a natural reservoir for many serious infectious diseases: cholera, Lassa, Ebola, measles. The analysis that underlies the emergence and spread of infectious diseases are dominated by a certain ecosystem, favorable customs, the fragility of the health system resilience: warning, surveillance, adequate response or lack of research and biosafety. The objective is to analyze the links between disease and community commitment for action. Methodology qualitative, participatory and focused on the triangulation of the literature review, in-depth interviews with target and comments. Results: In Guinea, a strategy “Active Monitoring belt around Heal Ebola” (SA-Ceint) was implemented to ensure enhanced oversight and assurance á their medical and psychosocial needs. Monitoring is implemented by “National Safety Agency” in collaboration with various partners. Community-based monitoring is required to prevent new outbreaks of Ebola in the country and bring them to life and health events. The Ebola outbreak (2013–2016) reveals that in a context of vulnerability, mistrust and rumors, the management deserves a preparation. Thus, the incentive mechanisms at the community commitment of the response including surveillance have enabled side. Lessons learned have pushed the country to engage in a process of implementation of ERARE, separates, the platform “One Health” and institutionalization of community health strategies preservation of human health, animal health and protection of the environment. Conclusion: Without communication that improves knowledge and helps in solving health and biosecurity issues, it is illusory to imagine that the prevention and response programs against infectious diseases will be successful long term. Community involvement is critical to the prevention, detection, monitoring, response.