Ebola Outbreak in West Africa

Setting the scene

The West Africa Ebola outbreak began in December 2013 in Guinea and was declared in March 2014, becoming the largest Ebola epidemic. It infected 28,600 people and killed 11,325 in Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone by 2016.

What happened

The outbreak overwhelmed weak health systems and spread due to traditional burial practices. International response was initially slow but eventually involved 10,000 aid workers. Experimental vaccines were deployed.

Why it still matters

Ebola demonstrated the danger of emerging diseases and led to reforms in global health security, influencing the COVID-19 response.

Background

Experimental vaccines were rushed.