Public Health Response

Public collection, quarantine, and transfer into Ebola treatment units were perceived as reducing freedom and dignity. Some community members perceived survivors and their families as being treated like criminals or murderers. Future stigma reduction should avoid criminal connotations in outbreak response communication and operations. High-risk groups include people with multiple sexual partners, people living with HIV, and people with early sexual debut. Maternal screening and prevention remain important because syphilis during pregnancy can cause congenital infection. Control strategies should address structural and behavioural determinants as well as climate-related seasonality. Some conspiracy theories claimed that Ebola response actions were used to relocate people for land appropriation. The findings support incorporating seasonality into scabies surveillance, preparedness, and response planning in humanitarian settings. Recommended strategies include mass drug administration, intensified case management, and social and behavioural change communication. The study emphasizes interventions targeting sexual education, condom use, poverty, education, and equitable access to scre…