The Ebola outbreak has been a global concern for years now. It is a highly contagious and deadly virus that has claimed thousands of lives across the world.

Ebola has been known to have a severe impact on the health and economy of countries that experience outbreaks.

There have been several outbreaks of Ebola in Africa, with the 2014 outbreak being the deadliest in history to date. The World Health Organization (WHO) has listed several underlying causes of the Ebola virus outbreak.

In this article, we will explore the five main factors that contribute to these outbreaks.

Poor Health Infrastructure

The lack of proper health infrastructure is a major factor in the spread of Ebola. The countries affected by Ebola are usually already struggling with limited resources and inadequate healthcare systems.

This means that there are not enough healthcare facilities, staff, equipment, or medicines to tackle the outbreak.

Additionally, some regions are not accessible by road or other means of transport, making it challenging for medical teams to reach the affected areas.

This results in a delay in providing medical care and treatment, allowing the virus to spread further.

Cultural Practices

Cultural practices in some communities in Africa have also contributed to the spread of Ebola. These practices include traditional burials and other customs that involve washing of the dead bodies.

This can lead to the spread of the virus as the virus is highly contagious and can remain active in the body fluids of an infected person for days.

Another cultural practice that contributes to the spread of Ebola is the consumption of bushmeat. This can expose individuals to the virus, as Ebola is often transmitted to humans through contact with infected animals.

However, it is worth noting that this practice is not common throughout Africa, and not all outbreaks of Ebola are linked to it.

Poor Governance

Poor governance is another factor that contributes to the Ebola outbreak. Corruption, political instability, and incompetence have all been linked to the spread of the virus.

Inadequate funding, the mismanagement of resources, and a lack of political will to address the issue have all hindered the efforts to contain the outbreak.

In some cases, governments have denied the existence of the disease or downplayed its severity. This has led to a delay in responding to the outbreak, allowing it to spread further and claim more lives.

Population Migration

Population migration is also a factor that contributes to the spread of Ebola. With the increasing movement of people across borders, there is a higher risk of the virus spreading from one region to another.

This is especially true in West Africa, where an estimated 70% of the population is engaged in cross-border trade.

If an individual infected with Ebola travels to another region, they can easily spread the virus to other people. This can result in a rapid spread of the disease, making it difficult to contain the outbreak.

Medical Misdiagnosis

Medical misdiagnosis is another factor that contributes to the spread of Ebola. This often occurs in the early stages of the outbreak when healthcare workers are not familiar with the virus or its symptoms.

The non-specific nature of Ebola’s symptoms, which include headache, fever, and muscle pain, can often be misdiagnosed as other illnesses.

This misdiagnosis can lead to a delay in providing the necessary medical care, allowing the virus to spread undetected.

Additionally, healthcare workers who are not wearing adequate protective gear are at risk of contracting the virus themselves, which can further contribute to the spread of Ebola.

Conclusion

The Ebola outbreak is a global concern that requires urgent attention. It is essential to address the underlying causes of the outbreak to prevent further spread of the virus.

This can be accomplished through adequate funding, investment in healthcare infrastructure and training, and the implementation of preventative measures.

Addressing cultural practices that contribute to the spread of the virus is also crucial to containing the outbreak. By working together, we can prevent future outbreaks of Ebola and protect the health of individuals across the world.