The papers explore reasons why the disease evaded detection
for several months and the factors, many specific to West Africa, that fuelled
its subsequent spread.
The most extensive papers trace events in each of the three
most severely affected countries – Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone. These
countries shared many common challenges, shaped by geography, culture, and
poverty, but each also faced, addressed and sometimes solved some unique
problems.
Key events are set out chronologically, starting with the
child who is believed to be the index case of this
epidemic through to the
Director-General’s commitment to steadfastly support affected countries until
they reach zero cases.
The report also looks back at WHO’s response over the past
12 months, including the 9 August declaration of an international health
emergency. It documents the many challenges faced by countries and the
international community in dealing with the largest, longest, most severe, and
most complex Ebola outbreak in history.
Throughout the report, the contributions of national
governments and their many partners weave in, as does the great human misery
caused by a terrible and terrifying disease.
Other papers provide insight into:
• how to
fast-track development of Ebola vaccines, treatments and rapid diagnostic tests
is progressing, with no compromise of safety and efficacy standards.
• how Senegal,
Nigeria and likely Mali managed to contain imported cases and bring their own
outbreaks under control.
• the state of
worldwide vigilance and preparedness, especially in countries targeted by WHO
as being at greatest risk of an imported case.
The report also looks ahead. Based on what was learned
during the previous year, what critical strategies and interventions will give
countries and their partners the best chance of bringing the outbreaks under
control?
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