World Health Organization Director General

In late 2013, Ebola virus disease (EVD), a deadly and lethal disease, remerged in West Africa spreading to various countries in the region. In humans, the disease is spread through contact with infected bodily fluids leading to haemorrhagic fever (World Health Organization [WHO], 2015). Originating in 1976 in equatorial Africa, past outbreaks with a few hundred cases had been contained within rural, forested areas in Uganda and Congo (Piot, 2012). In 2014, a total of 20, 206 cases and 7,905 deaths were reported to have occurred in up to eight countries worldwide. Of all cases and deaths resulting from the disease, 99.8% occurred in three neighbouring West African countries - Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea (WHO, 2014). With a case fatality rate from about 50% to 90%, and the absence of preventative or curative therapies, the Ebola epidemic has led to overall global alarm and further elucidated existing global health disparities that perpetuated the epidemic with these West African countries.

In 2014 the world watched in horror as West Africa experienced the largest Ebola epidemic in history. Affected countries in Africa included Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone and the epidemic, having begun in December 2013, went on for a full year, with additional cases occurring throughout 2015. Over 19,000 cases were reported by December 2014 and of those, 7,518 lost their lives. Today, we know that in total, over 11,000 people lost their lives ("Previous case counts", 2016). There were many factors at play in this outbreak, such as the emergence of a new strain Ebola virus; a lack of preparedness in West Africa, where Ebola had not been seen prior to 2014; a shortage of health care workers and subsequent death of many more them, leading

UNICEF officer, Suzanne Mary Beukes provided a clearer insight to how poor the country of Guinea is when she wrote, "The world has virtually quarantined a country in which 43 percent of people were already living on less than $1.25 a day prior to this health crisis” (Gholipour, 2014). The countries of Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone (the countries where outbreaks primarily occurred), are some of the poorest countries in the world as a result of their recent civil war and the damaged health and education infrastructures that followed. (“Factors that Contributed to the Spread of Ebola,” n.d., para. 10). The poor infrastructures led to the delayed transportation of patients and lab work to labs and hospitals in addition to the lack of communication between health facilities. In addition to the lack of health facilities, there was shortage of healthcare workers. “Prior to the outbreaks, the three countries (Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone) had a ratio of only one to two doctors per nearly 100,000 population” (“Factors that Contributed to the Spread of Ebola,” n.d., para. 15). The poverty in these cities and countries lead people to want to move to a better standard of living, be treated for the virus, and look for food &

Despite modest health improvements in the decade or so following the end of active conflict, the 2014-2015 Ebola epidemic revealed ongoing systemic issues. The global involvement in the Mano River region countries, and particularly the role of the World Health

As the earth has mounted its immune response against the human species" (Preston, 406) in the form of a filovirus which was deemed biologically dormant both in the late nineties’ outbreak and currently, the ethical implications have infected society’s ability to rid itself of Ebola. Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone owe the International Monetary Fund a combined payment of three hundred and seventy-two million dollars that were allocated to repress the epidemic (Duval). Although a large portion of the countries have declared themselves Ebola free the remnants of the outbreak remain in the form of economic poverty and a newly built health care frame that does not account for the lack of health care workers, consideration of cultural traditions and was not implemented in a timely manner.

This Ebola outbreak taught us many factors of public health that we simply ignore daily, like washing hands. These viruses are easily transmitted from person to person, through their blood or body-fluids. Therefore it is very important to research about our public health around us, for everyone’s health and future. The Ebola outbreak showed how the world is very ignorant of their public health. It is better for them to know all of these tragedies and educate themselve to prevent from any other outbreaks that will take place in the future. The plan to release more information and persuade to adjust West African culture will definitely make public healthier, view the world differently, and our future generations will learn the importance of learning

The country's development is limited and is generally restricted to the capital city. The recent outbreak of the disease Ebola clearly demonstrated the lack of health and resources. Ebola, though contagious, can be easily contained by the sufficient sanitation and health resources. There were 13 250 cases of Ebola reported with 3 949 deaths. In Sierra Leone, there is no proper hospital outside the capital city and 136 doctors for the entire population. The low level of development in Sierra Leone was only worsened by the Ebola outbreak and restricted any improvements that the country may have made after the civil war.

Ebola Virus disease (EVD) is a severe and often fatal illness in humans according to the World Health Organisation (WHO) (WHO, 2016). Although initially originating in wild animals it spreads through the human population via human to human transmission of bodily fluids with the average casualty rate being about 50% (WHO, 2016). The key to prevention and control of Ebola outbreaks is through community engagement, safe burials and good health centre prevention measures (WHO, 2015). Two countries will be examined one has experienced multiple cases of Ebola, Sierra Leone, and the other a few cases, the United States of America. The

Jeffery Reid Instructor: Mrs. McCree Course: Comm 2200 Sec # 2200-048 Date: 10/26/2014 Speech title: Ebola: The New Plague Specific Purpose: My purpose for this speech is to inform my audience about Ebola in West Africa and show parallelism between the reception of aid and treatment between underdeveloped and developed countries. Central Idea Statement: My Central ideas will focus on the history of the disease, what exactly the disease is, and the affects the illness has had on West Africa vs. developed countries like The United States. Introduction I. Attention: The Ebola virus is an epidemic that is a global threat to not only our health but to life, as we know it, which in turn, if left unchecked could eventually become a plague on humanity.

The effects of the outbreak have been horrific. During October the death toll reached 121 and 81 new cases, that statistic has risen. To 5,338 total cases with around 400 of them being Health Care workers and 1,510 dead 223 of them have been Aid workers helping the infected patients. It is believed by experts it could reach 10,000 new cases a week by December. People in Sierra Leone no longer shake hands, they now smile and pat their chest to introduce themselves. If you were to travel to this country, they will ask you questions about your health before you enter the

The 2014 Ebola outbreak was the first occurrence of Ebola in West Africa, killing thousands of people. The epidemic caused panic worldwide as the World Health Organization (WHO) struggled to contain what it claimed would be a brief outbreak. It was through this unsuccessful response that the WHO came under increased scrutiny. Investigations into the WHO revealed deficiencies across many aspects of the organization. Most notably, the WHO was criticized for its lack of emergency preparedness, its ineffective implementation of the International Health Regulations, and its failure to respond to the outbreak with the necessary force. While these criticisms questioned

In 2014 there was an Ebola outbreak in Africa, which spread to the USA, making our entire nation fearful because it is a fatal and deadly virus if left untreated. Ebola, also know as hemorrhagic fever, is caused by ebolavirus. It is spread though direct contact with bodily fluids, which includes droplets of fluid. Symptoms include muscle pains, fever, vomiting, and diarrhea internal\external bleeding leading to death. Unfortunately, there is no current vaccine but early treatment and interventions improves chances of survival. Ebola is not only affecting the safety of USA airlines but also affecting healthcare workers especially nurses who have the most direct contact with Ebola patients. This subject brought to my attention the question:

In March 2014, the Ministry of Health in Guinea notified the Africa Regional Office of the World Health Organization of a new outbreak of the Ebola Virus Disease [EVD]. As of December 2, 2014, this recent Ebola outbreak has seen 10,708 confirmed infections and 6,055 deaths, with the hardest hit countries being West African countries of Guinea, Sierra Leone, and Liberia (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2014a). The World Health Organization officially called the West African Ebola outbreak a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Proper communication was not ensured between the affected countries, the people, local leaders, the governments and 1st world countries that would help the African countries. Communication is key especially when an outbreak happens in poor countries who cannot prevent countless people dying because the lack of having none of the required resources and the fact that most Africa are 3rd world

The outbreak of the dreaded Ebola virus is something that has brought great fear and anxieties on citizens of affected countries and the world in general especially since it was exported from Liberia to the most populous city in Africa, Lagos, Nigeria. Efforts are still being made to come up with a lasting cure for this disease. Meanwhile, it is very vital for all to co-operate with all efforts geared towards stopping the spread of this disease.