EVD Outbreak-2014: Burden of the Disease and Comprehensive Steps in Preventing the Epidemic

Abstract

As of December 2nd 2015, a total of 28,601 cases have been reported with 11,300 reported deaths (not including cases where the outcome is unknown) during the current outbreak of ebola virus disease (EVD). In this paper, we mainly focus on the transmission of ebola virus disease, estimate the burden of the disease and the persistent nature by finding the basic reproduction number, and analyze the comprehensive steps to control the virulent disease. We have considered three mostly affected countries, Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone respectively and collected data from various sources are used to surmise the present and future nature of the disease. Being the poorest country in the world like Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone, they do not have efficient policies to fight against such kind of endemic and they have been unable to control the spread of the disease. We have found some real facts that increase the chances to be infected by this virulent disease. Since the reproduction number R 0 is still above unity and if we do not take precautionary steps and work accordingly then the disease will definitely exist in the community and the burden of the disease would increase continuously.