Ebola Virus Epidemic

Ebola Virus Epidemic

Reports from the World Health Organization (WHO), suggests that natural disasters are responsible for the death of an estimated 90,000 people while impacting the lives of 160 million others annually. Disease epidemics are among the tragedies that have significant negative implications on the populations living in and around the affected area. A primary example of an epidemic is the recent Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) outbreak in West African countries, particularly in Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone from 2013 to 2016.

The West African developing countries were unable to respond to the outbreak effectively, and it took an international effort to combat the epidemic and limit its spread (Chowell, & Nishiura, 2014). This article reviews how the outbreak in West Africa led to an international public health burden and its negative social and economic impact of the most affected countries. As a result of the size, duration and geographical spread, the epidemic is vital for research which helps national and international healthcare systems to prepare for and respond to future outbreaks effectively.

                                                                History of Ebola                                                               

The West African Ebola epidemic was first reported in December 2013. This outbreak was not the first EVD outbreak in history, in fact, the first cases were reported in the 1970s;