CHAPTER ONE
1.0        INTRODUCTION
1.1        BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
Since the outbreak of the Ebola virus disease which were reported in West Africa in
March 2014 various countries has taken precaution to contain the spread of the deadly virus. According to the World Health Organisation about 15,119 cases of Ebola has been suspected and confirmed within West Africa alone. (WHO, 2014).
The epidemic is disrupting the development progress achieved since the restoration of peace and democracy in the three most-affected countries. As of 10 December, almost 18,000 people had been infected and more than 6,400 had already died. Health services in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone were not well equipped to fight the disease and the crisis is now completely outstripping their ability to stem its spread.
Some specific features in the three countries have made Ebola particularly difficult to control. Lack of medical personnel and beds in Ebola Treatment Units, the complexity of identifying active cases and contacts, and the slowness of the response have all contributed to the seriousness of this health crisis. Doctors were unfamiliar with the disease, and because its symptoms resemble those of other ailments, early diagnosis and effective prevention were slow to begin.
Common practices, including communal hand washing, the tradition of caring for sick relatives, and the washing and dressing of dead bodies in preparation for burials, also contributed to the spread of the virus. Overly centralized health systems impaired the engagement of local communities, which is so critical to fighting epidemics such as this one.
A lack of trust in government further impeded cooperation, leading people to question the very existence of the virus.
The international community is now mobilized to help the affected countries stop the epidemic, treat the sick and prevent further outbreaks. There has been a noticeable change in perceptions and behaviors, and many communities have assumed the responsibility to cope with it, contributing to a significant decrease in new cases in some areas. Large sums, equipment and personnel have been rushed to these epicenter countries by the international community.
Yet, the battle is far from over and more resources will be required to bring it to an end. Communities have to own the struggle at the local level. Governments must lead effective, well-coordinated programmes to stop the epidemic all the way down to the district level, with support from the international community, including bilateral partners, multilateral agencies led by the United Nations Mission for Ebola Emergency Response (UNMEER), and other stakeholders.