KQ3: Ebola - physical factor hindering development Flashcards
1
Q
Why did Ebola spread in West Africa? (5)
A
- Started in most remote area with no health care service.
- People were ‘healed’ by spiritual healer - she then caught the disease and died, people from all areas went to her funeral and caught the disease from her dead body, the disease then spread more in these remote areas with no health care services.
- Areas were: Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea in particular)
- Average fatality rate is 50%.
- Poor housing conditions could have transmitted Ebola quickly - people sleep in same room they eat, no place to wash hands in toilet, all in very close contact so cannot isolate someone easily, need isolation units everywhere in West African countries ready.
2
Q
What were the impacts of Ebola?
A
- Result of reacting too slowly to a pandemic : global leaders came too late to help Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone.
- World Bank estimates the disease could cost the three African countries $809 million by next year if it continues to spread.
- Liberia alone, will cost them $93 million, reducing GDP growth.
- World Health organisation reported first outbreak in March, by August it was an epidemic.
- Infected 6,500 people in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone by September.
- More than 3,000 deaths by September.
- Cost of panic spread faster than the disease.
- Later detected in USA and UK, but both have good governance and health care which reduced the threat for these countries as they had the money to keep the situation under control, and produce the right equipment, they were able to isolate.
3
Q
What was the average fatality rate?
A
50%
4
Q
How much did the World Bank estimate it would cost the three African countries if it continued to spread until next year?
A
$809 million
5
Q
How much would it cost Liberia alone?
A
$93 million, reducing GDP growth
6
Q
When did the World Health Organisation first report an Ebola outbreak?
A
March 2014, was an epidemic by August
7
Q
How many people did it infect in the three African countries?
A
6,500
8
Q
How many deaths by September?
A
3,000
