Ebola as a course: Uniting basic sciences, public health and the humanities

Abstract

The most recent epidemic of Ebola virus disease (EVD), beginning in Guinea in December 2013 and still underway as of September 2015, has claimed almost 11 300 lives and resulted in almost 28 000 cases. The first EVD epidemic in history to span multiple countries at once; the outbreak caught the world unprepared, undoubtedly leading to higher illness and death counts that may have occurred in areas with solid medical infrastructure. An analysis of the many facets of the epidemic touches on many important topics covered in an introductory global health course, including issues of economics, ethics, culture, infectious disease, policy, preparedness and technology. However, in contrast to many global health offerings, a study of Ebola provides a unifying narrative throughout the course.