Grant: Project Grant

Historically, approximately 70% of people in Africa infected with Ebola virus have died. Most commonly, people develop vomiting and diarrhea, become severely dehydrated, their blood pressure falls, and their vital organs fail. If we can support patients until they receive specific treatments and produce antibodies to clear the virus from their system, mortality in Africa falls to about 40%. Governments and humanitarian organizations did not believe it was possible to deliver such care in the West African outbreak; however, one Ebola treatment center in West Africa demonstrated it was possible to provide critical care, including life-sustaining support for the heart, lungs and kidneys. Among patients evacuated to European and US hospitals with advanced critical care, just 20% of patients die. We have built a simulated treatment centre in Canada to "practice" the provision of advanced care to patients, demonstrating to others that we can deliver excellent care to help patients survive. Our Canadian treatment unit is a collaboration with the Canadian Forces, humanitarian aid organizations, African colleagues and the WHO. It simulates the temperature & humidity of West Africa, and with medical mannequins, we are testing the feasibility and safety for health workers in wearing protective medical equipment while providing resuscitation, mechanical ventilation and dialysis. This treatment unit and procedures will serve as an example to health teams - humanitarian organizations, African and Canadian - about what is possible. Our team has experience treating Ebola patients, building treatment centers in Africa, training health workers, and with support from CIHR have completed preparatory testing. We are ready to begin the next phase of this research. By involving trainees and engaging partners from Africa and Canada throughout the process, we are poised to influence Ebola care around the world.