The Pervasiveness of Ebola Virus Disease in Africa: Implication for Economy, Ecology and Socio-Religious Dynamics

Abstract

Within a space of six months from the recent outbreak in March 2014, Ebola virus disease (EVD) has claimed over 2000 lives in Liberia, Guinea, Sierra-Leone and Nigeria. This has indeed shaken Africa to its foundation as several aspects of its life have suffered the adverse effects of the pervasiveness of the EVD. Yet, some of these effects are not necessarily negative. The paper, therefore, critically highlighted some of the implications or effects of EVD in Africa. Using a critical phenomenological method of analysis, it was found that the recent outbreak of EVD in Africa has had a wide range effects that cuts across economic, ecological, socio-religious and cultural aspects of life in the affected countries. Among others, it was recommended that a concerted effort from both governments and citizens would go a long way in containing the spread of the EVD as well as its diverstating effects in the continent.