Outbreak response and risk communication issues associated with the potential threat of a domestic outbreak of Marburg virus disease: A policy analysis

Objective: Postulated and characterized public health risk perception concerns and proposed the best risk communication approach during a potential Marburg Virus Disease (MVD) outbreak in the U.S. Methods : A policy analysis was conducted that compared CDC and WHO guidelines from 2008–2014 with lessons learned reports from 2015, documenting their implementation during the 2014–2015 Ebola outbreak and evaluated how these guidelines were implemented. Results: Seven conceptual themes were identified: communication and coordination, risk communication, empowerment, rationality, uncertainty, at-risk groups and outbreak response. Despite the government’s clear focus on coordination between government organizations and communication mechanisms in the guidelines, there was a gap between international and local-level implementation. Delay of initial response of declaring the Ebola outbreak in Africa and lack of trained staff and preparedness caused management and control of the disease to spiral out of control. Conclusion: The reports identified challenges in coordination, communication and outbreak response that contributed to the infection of Ebola among U.S. healthcare staff during the 2014–2015 Ebola outbreak. Proper infection control guidelines and training for MVD is crucial in effective control of MVD at the national and international level. Implementing these conceptual themes when developing communication strategies and increasing organizational involvement in implementing guidelines will greatly improve the effectiveness of outbreak response during a potential MVD outbreak in the U.S