The Ebola Outbreak: Why We Should Care

The first cases of the 2014 outbreak were reported in Guinea December 2013. Now the incurable disease -- with up to a 90 per cent fatality rate -- has spread across West Africa and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Despite happening so far away, the Ebola outbreak has far-reaching and dire consequences that will impact the region and possibly the world for years to come.

It's the worst outbreak ever

Ebola fever takes down health-care workers

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More than 240 doctors and nurses have been infected with Ebola and 120 have died.

"Ebola has taken the lives of prominent doctors in Sierra Leone and Liberia, depriving these countries not only of experienced and dedicated medical care but also of inspiring national heroes," said the World Health Organization (WHO).

Right now, in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone there are only one or two doctors for every 10,000 people. In rural areas the ratio is even lower, according to WHO. That makes containing and treating the virus incredibly challenging, never mind meeting the medical needs for the rest of the populations.

Economic turmoil is likely

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The West African countries hardest hit have essentially closed their borders. That means inside food supplies are dwindling and prices are rising amidst preexisting poverty.

In Monrovia, the capital city of Liberia, the price of cassava increased 150 per cent in August, according to the United Nations. Meanwhile in Sierra Leone, rice, fish and palm oil are all more expensive.

Agriculture production and government revenue is also much lower, while healthcare expenditures are much higher.

Such a huge strain on the economy and government resources will have a long-term negative toll on the people and create political tensions and regional instability.

It is spreading and quickly

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If Ebola continues to spread at the same rate as the world is seeing now, there could be as many as 77,000 to 277,000 cases by the end of 2014, reports Eurosurveillance.

And these cases aren't limited to Africa.

Scientists predict Ebola is most likely to spread to The United Kingdom, Ghana and Gambia. Although the chance of contamination in developed countries is low, the Untied States, France and Belgium may also experience cases in the upcoming months.

Ebola reveals humanity's fragility

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Even though Ebola has been around since 1976, there are no specific treatments or approved vaccines (although two are being fast-tracked right now) to cure and prevent the virus.

It will also spread faster than ever before because of increased travel and globalization. For example, Nigeria could have remained Ebola-free if not for one Liberian official who traveled to Lagos. He was carrying the virus, which has since spread to 21 people and resulted in the deaths of eight, said CBC.

Whether or not humanitarian intervention is effective, there are enough cases to make Ebola exponentially dangerous. This outbreak demonstrates how even in our modern times, humans everywhere are susceptible to unpredictable and incurable diseases that can greatly harm countries and lives.