West African Ebola virus epidemic timeline

West African Ebola virus epidemic timeline is a chronological account of the Ebola virus disease outbreak that occurred in West Africa from 2013 to 2016. This epidemic was the most widespread outbreak of Ebola virus disease in history, causing major loss of life and socioeconomic disruption in the region.

2013

The epidemic began in Guinea in December 2013, but was not detected until March 2014. The first cases were reported in the forested rural region of southeastern Guinea, by an 18-month-old boy from the village of Meliandou. The disease rapidly spread to the neighboring countries of Liberia and Sierra Leone.

2014

In 2014, the epidemic drastically escalated with increasing numbers of cases reported. In March, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported a major Ebola outbreak in Guinea. In August, WHO declared the epidemic an international public health emergency. Despite efforts to halt the spread of the virus, by the end of 2014, the epidemic had caused a reported total of 7,905 deaths.

2015

In 2015, the epidemic began to wane due to the international community's increased response and the implementation of effective intervention strategies. However, new cases continued to be reported, particularly in Guinea and Sierra Leone. By the end of 2015, the WHO reported a total of 28,616 cases and 11,310 deaths.

2016

In 2016, the epidemic was declared over in all three countries. However, additional cases were still identified throughout the year. The last known case was reported in Guinea in April, and the country was declared Ebola-free by the WHO in June.

Aftermath

The aftermath of the epidemic has had a lasting impact on the affected countries. The health systems were severely strained during the epidemic, and recovery has been slow. In addition, many survivors suffer from post-Ebola syndrome, which can include joint pain, vision problems, and mental health issues.