Background: In Guinea, the Ebola virus disease (EVD) epidemic of 2013–2016, which resulted in 3,811 confirmed cases and 2153 (67%) deaths, began in the N’Zérékoré region. On February 14, 2021, 2 suspected cases from the N’Zérékoré District were confirmed for EVD. We investigated all suspected cases in the area to determine the extent of the outbreak and implement control measures.
Methods: We conducted a descriptive study using the EVD World Health Organization EVD case definition. Using DHIS2, we collected demographic, clinical, and risk factor data from cases and sociodemographic, and risk factors data from contacts. Proportions, median age, case fatality, and attack rate were calculated using Epi Info 7.2.
Results: Of 1,878 suspected cases, 7 (0.5%) were probable cases; 1,869 (99.5%) were sampled. Among the sampled, 16 (0.9%) were confirmed. Of probable and confirmed cases, 12 died (52%). Median age was 45 (22–75 range). Those age 35–44 years: 6 (26%) and females: 6 (53%) were most affected. A total of 13 (56.5%) were same family members, 7 (30.4%) were health care workers and none used personal protective equipment (PPE). Three were (13.0%) body washers. A total of 20 (87.0%) had fever and intense fatigue; 1 (4.3%) was asymptomatic. Sub-district attack rates per 100,000 inhabitants were 21 in Gouécké, 15 in Soulouta, and 5 in the urban commune. Sequencing linked cases to the 2014–2016 outbreak. Of 1,110 identified contacts, 1,079 (92%) were traced and 986 (91%) vaccinated with the MERK vaccine.
Conclusions: The EVD outbreak affected 3 sub-prefectures and the urban commune. It circulated among family members and health care workers. The health care workers were likely more affected because of non-use of PPE. We recommended vaccinating and providing training and PPE to health care workers and body washers of the N’Zerekore region and conducting a serosurvey among contacts to estimate the seroprevalence among asymptomatic cases.