Human consequences
Thousands of orphans and many health workers killed; funeral rites become a route of infection.
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PandemicWest African Ebola epidemic
11,325Deaths
Not quantifiedDisplaced / homeless
$2.8bnEstimated cost
- 11,325 deaths out of about 28,600 recorded cases.
- Economic losses estimated by the World Bank for the three hardest-hit countries.
The largest Ebola epidemic in history starts in a village in Guinea’s forest region, then reaches the capitals of three countries with fragile health systems.
Consequences
Environmental consequences
Deforestation and contact with wildlife are studied as drivers of this zoonosis.
Economic consequences
Growth collapses; borders, schools and markets close.
Political consequences
The WHO, criticised for its slowness, creates a health emergencies programme; an effective vaccine is validated in 2015.
Spread
- Sierra Leone · May 2014
- Monrovia · 2014
- Lagos · July 2014
- Dallas · September 2014
Further reading
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In the rankings : The deadliest pandemics in history No. 7
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