Meliandou

Meliandou is a small village in Guinea, West Africa. It is known for being the epicenter of the Ebola virus epidemic in West Africa, the largest in history. The first known case in the 2014 outbreak, a two-year-old boy, died in December 2013. The disease rapidly spread to the boy's family, other members of their village, and then other villages and towns in the region.

History

Meliandou is located in the Guéckédou Prefecture, near the borders with Sierra Leone and Liberia. The village has a population of around 400 people, most of whom are farmers or hunters. The village is surrounded by a dense forest, which is home to numerous species of bats, believed to be the natural reservoir of the Ebola virus.

Ebola Outbreak

The Ebola outbreak in West Africa began in Meliandou. The first known case was a two-year-old boy, who died in December 2013. The disease then spread to the boy's family, other members of their village, and then other villages and towns in the region. The World Health Organization declared the outbreak a public health emergency of international concern in August 2014.

Impact

The outbreak had a significant impact on the village and the wider region. Many people died, and the village was placed under quarantine. The economy was also severely affected, with many people losing their jobs and livelihoods. The outbreak also led to a significant increase in the number of orphans in the region.

Response

The response to the outbreak was coordinated by the World Health Organization, in collaboration with other international organizations and the governments of affected countries. Measures taken included the isolation of patients, the tracing of contacts, the promotion of safe burial practices, and the provision of medical and psychosocial support to affected individuals and communities.

See Also

• Ebola virus disease
• Epidemics
• World Health Organization

References

Meliandou Resources
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