An epidemic of ebolavirus in West Africa, which was first identified in March 2014, is now the largest Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) outbreak on record. On 8 August 2014, the WHO declared the Ebola outbreak in West Africa a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC). As of 4 September 2014, Guinea, Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Nigeria have reported 3,707 cases (2,106 confirmed, 1,003 probable, and 598 suspected) of EVD with 1,848 deaths (50% case fatality) to the World Health Organization (WHO). Five U.S. citizens have contracted the viral disease – one LiberianAmerican and four medical-aid workers working in Ebola-afflicted countries.
Objective
To categorize and assess the international and domestic health impacts of the 2014 West African Ebola Virus Disease outbreak.