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International epidemic management involves ceding to foreign experts who possess, at best, a surface-level understanding of a very complex region.

A proper understanding of community dynamics and local beliefs can inform medical interventions that are capable of establishing positive and productive relations with local communities.

The Ebola virus is known to occur in the Democratic Republic of Congo and outbreaks are not entirely unexpected. But health authorities must take swift action to contain the outbreak.

The Ebola vaccine alone is not enough to deal with the outbreak in the DRC.

What happens when you have Ebola?

It could be a matter of days before the ebola epidemic in the DRC spreads to urban centres or spills over into neighbouring countries.

The current Ebola outbreak in the DRC is incredibly difficult to manage.

The fast thinking Nigerian government used a tried and tested tracking system and pooled expertise to contain the ebola virus in three months.

Airport public health officials have got better at screening at ports of entry especially for international arrivals.

As with Ebola, it is often only when the harm is done that people working on the response realise health emergencies disproportionately harm women.