The Role of Uncertainty During the Ebola Pandemic in Western Africa (2014–2016)

Author:

Karlsen André1,Kruke Bjørn Ivar2

Affiliation:

1. County Governor of Oppland, Lillehammer, Oppland, Norway

2. University of Stavanger, Norway

Abstract

An Ebola outbreak in Western Africa escalated into a transboundary crisis in 2014. This escalation of a rather small outbreak, to unfold into an international health crisis, were caused by many socio-political factors, such as poverty, lack of resources, inaction by governments, the international community and the way the response systems for pandemics have been built. Drawing on literature reviews of reports and policy documents, this paper aims to study the influence of uncertainty as a facilitator for “non-decision-making” on actions which could have stopped the escalation of the outbreak. The responders faced uncertainty associated with the source, evolution and solutions to the pandemic — mainly because of inadequate understanding of the situation in Western Africa, inadequate information exchange from the field, and internal administrative structures within the World Health Organization (WHO). In addition, uncertainty was also deliberately spread due to fears of having the WHO impose a “Declaration of Public Health Emergency of International Concern” (PHEIC), which again could cause severe economic and political consequences.

Publisher

World Scientific Pub Co Pte Lt

Subject

General Medicine

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