Title: Estimating the economic impact of the 2014 Ebola virus outbreak in West Africa: an empirical approach

Authors: Mohamed Jalloh

Addresses: Economic Policy Analysis Unit (EPAU), Macroeconomic Policy Department, ECOWAS Commission, River Plaza, Central Area, Abuja, Nigeria

Abstract: The 2014 Ebola outbreak in West Africa is one of the most devastating in history. The devastating nature of this epidemic drew worldwide attention as it spread across borders. This study therefore, aimed at evaluating the economic impact of the epidemic in countries affected. The study adopted an innovative methodology that captures the contemporaneous impact of the outbreak on key economic variables of interest. The results from the study revealed that in addition to the adverse impact of the Ebola disease, the isolation of countries affected by the epidemic contributed immensely in worsening their economic conditions. Thus, the study noted the need for strengthening healthcare systems, enhancing the capacity of health workers, non-restriction on the movement of persons and goods and the need for regional coordination of efforts in combating epidemic outbreaks in the future.

Keywords: Ebola; outbreak; economic; epidemic; devastating; West Africa; combating.

DOI: 10.1504/IJHP.2019.101684

International Journal of Healthcare Policy, 2019 Vol.1 No.1, pp.1 - 23

Received: 07 Oct 2014
Accepted: 11 Feb 2015
Published online: 21 Aug 2019 *