Ebola virus disease and maternal–neonatal health: direct and indirect impacts and health system preparedness gaps
- 1Faculty of Health Sciences and Tropical Medicine, Somali National University, Mogadishu, Somalia
- 2Climate and Environmental Research Institute (CERI), Mogadishu, Somalia
- 3Center for Natural Resources, Universidade Estadual do Mato Grosso do Sul (UEMS), Dourados, Brazil
Abstract
Background: Ebola virus disease (EVD) is a severe viral infection that can substantially affect maternal and neonatal health through both direct disease and disruption of essential health services. Pregnant women and neonates may experience serious adverse outcomes during outbreaks, yet pregnancy-specific evidence remains limited and maternal–neonatal health has historically received insufficient attention in Ebola preparedness and research.
Methods: This narrative review synthesized evidence on Ebola virus disease and maternal–neonatal health from peer-reviewed literature, international guidance, and outbreak reports. Relevant literature was identified through targeted searches of PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar and through reference-list screening of key publications. Findings were synthesized narratively, with attention to study design, methodological limitations, and differences across outbreak settings.
Findings: Available evidence indicates that EVD during pregnancy is associated with severe maternal complications and poor fetal and neonatal outcomes, although risk estimates remain uncertain because of small and heterogeneous studies. Placental infection and mother-to-child transmission have been documented. Ebola outbreaks also disrupt antenatal, delivery, immunization, and emergency obstetric services, contributing to additional maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality. Key preparedness gaps include limited maternity-specific IPC, inadequate pregnancy-disaggregated surveillance, and insufficient evidence on vaccines and therapeutics in pregnancy.
Conclusion: EVD poses serious but context-dependent risks to maternal and neonatal health through direct disease and disruption of essential healthcare services. Preparedness should prioritize continuity of essential maternity and newborn care, maternity-specific IPC, pregnancy-disaggregated surveillance, and the responsible inclusion of pregnant and breastfeeding women in vaccine and therapeutic research and access.
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BibTeX
@article{ahmed2026ebola,
title = {{Ebola virus disease and maternal–neonatal health: direct and indirect impacts and health system preparedness gaps}},
author = {Nasro Salad Ahmed and Fatima Abdijabbar Ibrahim and Omar Aweis Ali},
journal = {Frontiers in Public Health},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.3389/fpubh.2026.1952690},
url = {https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2026.1952690},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Ebola virus disease and maternal–neonatal health: direct and indirect impacts and health system preparedness gaps
AU - Nasro Salad Ahmed
AU - Fatima Abdijabbar Ibrahim
AU - Omar Aweis Ali
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/12
JO - Frontiers in Public Health
DO - 10.3389/fpubh.2026.1952690
UR - https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2026.1952690
AB - Background: Ebola virus disease (EVD) is a severe viral infection that can substantially affect maternal and neonatal health through both direct disease and disruption of essential health services. Pregnant women and neonates may experience serious adverse outcomes during outbreaks, yet pregnancy-specific evidence remains limited and maternal–neonatal health has historically received insufficient attention in Ebola preparedness and research. Methods: This narrative review synthesized evidence on Ebola virus disease and maternal–neonatal health from peer-reviewed literature, international guidance, and outbreak reports. Relevant literature was identified through targeted searches of PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar and through reference-list screening of key publications. Findings were synthesized narratively, with attention to study design, methodological limitations, and differences across outbreak settings. Findings: Available evidence indicates that EVD during pregnancy is associated with severe maternal complications and poor fetal and neonatal outcomes, although risk estimates remain uncertain because of small and heterogeneous studies. Placental infection and mother-to-child transmission have been documented. Ebola outbreaks also disrupt antenatal, delivery, immunization, and emergency obstetric services, contributing to additional maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality. Key preparedness gaps include limited maternity-specific IPC, inadequate pregnancy-disaggregated surveillance, and insufficient evidence on vaccines and therapeutics in pregnancy. Conclusion: EVD poses serious but context-dependent risks to maternal and neonatal health through direct disease and disruption of essential healthcare services. Preparedness should prioritize continuity of essential maternity and newborn care, maternity-specific IPC, pregnancy-disaggregated surveillance, and the responsible inclusion of pregnant and breastfeeding women in vaccine and therapeutic research and access.
SN - 2296-2565
ER -