The 2014 Ebola Virus Disease (EVD, or “Ebola”) outbreak is the largest and most complex Ebola outbreak on record, with an unprecedented number of affected countries and thousands of cases and deaths. 1 Widespread and intense transmission is devastating for families and communities, compromising essential civic and health services, weakening economies and isolating affected populations. The epidemic has had broad impact on the socioeconomic stability of the region and, with readily accessible international travel and fluid population movements, represents a threat to global health security. Furthermore, the outbreak has placed enormous strain on national and international response capacities, including WHO’s outbreak and emergency response structures, systems and capacities.
This document contextualizes the outbreak, providing a summary of the virus’ spread, the country-level and global response, work on preparedness, research and development and building resilient health systems in the affected countries. The document concludes with an overview of the strategy for bringing the outbreak to an end.