Scientific Sessions

Ebola, Zika, and other viral infections represent some of the most significant public health challenges in recent decades due to their rapid transmission potential, severe health impacts, and socio-economic consequences. Ebola virus disease (EVD), caused by the Ebola virus, is a severe hemorrhagic fever with a high fatality rate, often ranging from 25% to 90% depending on the outbreak and healthcare response. It is primarily transmitted through direct contact with the blood, secretions, or other bodily fluids of infected individuals, as well as contaminated surfaces or materials. Ebola outbreaks have mainly occurred in sub-Saharan Africa, with the 2014–2016 West African epidemic being the largest in history, affecting multiple countries and resulting in thousands of deaths. Zika virus, on the other hand, is primarily spread through the bite of infected Aedes mosquitoes, though sexual transmission has also been documented. While Zika infections are often mild or asymptomatic, they have been linked to severe birth defects such as microcephaly and other neurological disorders in newborns, as well as Guillain-Barré syndrome in adults. The 2015–2016 Zika outbreak in the Americas highlighted the urgent need for rapid surveillance, public health communication, and coordinated response strategies for emerging viral threats.

Beyond Ebola and Zika, numerous other viral infections—such as Dengue, Chikungunya, Nipah, and Marburg viruses—pose significant risks in various parts of the world. Many of these viruses share common challenges: they often emerge in regions with limited healthcare infrastructure, spread rapidly due to global travel and trade, and can cause outbreaks with high morbidity and mortality. Climate change, urbanization, and encroachment into wildlife habitats are contributing to the emergence and re-emergence of such infections, as changing ecological patterns facilitate the spread of vector-borne diseases and zoonotic viruses. Effective prevention and control require a combination of approaches: strengthening surveillance systems, investing in rapid diagnostic tools, promoting vaccination where available, implementing vector control measures, and enhancing public health awareness. Global collaboration among governments, health organizations, and research institutions is essential to develop new vaccines, treatments, and preparedness strategies. As recent history shows, outbreaks of viral infections like Ebola and Zika are not isolated events but reminders of the interconnected nature of global health—emphasizing the need for continuous vigilance, scientific innovation, and resilient healthcare systems.