Abstract
A relative dearth of research exists regarding the unique physical and social impact of Ebola on its female survivors. This fact is exemplified by the case of Salome Karwah who, in 2014, contracted Ebola virus disease (EVD), recovered, and then returned to the Ebola Treatment Unit (ETU) to care for other victims of the disease. For her heroism, Salome was recognized on the cover of Time Magazine as a Person of the Year for her work in combating the Ebola epidemic. Following the Ebola outbreak, Salome returned to care for Ebola patients together with her husband. In February 2017, and following complications of hypertensive disease of pregnancy, a healthy baby boy was delivered. Tragically, Salome died 4 days later of pregnancy complications, likely a result of eclampsia. Liberia has remained one of the most dangerous countries to be pregnant, both before, during, and after the Ebola epidemic. This chapter discusses the heroism of Salome, the potential implications of Ebola survivorship on the reproductive health of men and women, and the long-term persistence of Ebola virus in the genital tract of male and female survivors of the disease.
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C.L. Godwin, A. Buller, M. Bentley, & K. Singh. Understanding the personal relationships and reproductive health changes of female survivors of Ebola infection in Liberia.
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Godwin, C.L., Schwartz, D.A. (2019). Uncovering More Questions: Salome Karwah and the Lingering Impact of Ebola Virus Disease on the Reproductive Health of Survivors. In: Schwartz, D., Anoko, J., Abramowitz, S. (eds) Pregnant in the Time of Ebola. Global Maternal and Child Health. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-97637-2_16
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