The Ebola virus disease outbreak in West Africa in 2014/2015: important data and political events

Abstract

In 2014/2015 West Africa suffered an Ebola virus disease (EVD) outbreak of unprecedented unknown severity. The outbreak affected mostly Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea, and for the first time spread to major cities, some of which have international airports. Worldwide, 28,652 cases were registered, 11,325 of which were fatal. A few cases were confirmed outside the main outbreak countries. Three EVD patients and one person with a needle-stick injury were evacuated to Germany and treated or kept under observation there. One of the patients died. In this article, the course of the outbreak and the international response are addressed. Epidemiological data and important political developments in connection with the EVD outbreak are summarized. The outbreak started in December 2013 in Guinea. It reached its peak from September to December 2014. On 8 August 2014, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared a public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC). The General Assembly of the United Nations (UN) established on 19 September 2014 the UN Mission for Ebola Emergency Response (UNMEER). On the same day, the German government pledged more financial aid and other support, such as the establishment of an air bridge, the construction of treatment centres and training. Up until April 2016, there were repeated local outbreaks. On 29 March 2016 WHO declared that the PHEIC had ended. On 28 April 2016 the outbreak was finally over.