Ebola and its Impact on Globalization
Ebola is a rare but lethal disease caused by one of five known Ebola virus species. Humans and nonhuman primates such as chimps, monkeys, and gorillas are both affected by the disease. The Ebola virus kills victims between 2 and 21 days after infection. In 1976, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) announced the first case of Ebola virus (Briand). Following the first instance, the sickness was recorded in numerous other African countries, as well as globally in countries such as Russia, the United States, and the Philippines. However, West African countries such as Liberia and Sierra Leone have been adversely affected by Ebola. The effects of Ebola disease are adverse and they have affected social, political and economic sectors around the world. Ebola has affected globalization by affecting trade negatively, the death of human resources, and huge financial resources used in the fight against the disease.
Loss of Human Resources and Economic Impact
The Ebola disease has claimed lives of many people in different countries around the world. Loss of human resources through the disease is a great setback to economies of the affected countries. The people who succumbed to death due to Ebola contributed towards development different sectors in the economy. Some were farmers, nurses, teachers, drivers, health care givers, and doctors. Reduction in the number of workers in a certain sector signifies sluggish growth in the economy. According to the Center for Disease Control, Ebola virus collectively killed more than 11, 000 people in different countries around the world for the period between March 2014 and June 2016 (CDC). Between August and November 2014 period only, Ebola virus killed 49 people in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Impact on Trade and Tourism
The Ebola disease has caused a decline in the Trade and Tourism industries, especially in the countries where the disease is prevalent. Tourists around the world are not allowed to visit countries affected by the Ebola disease. Travel firms cancel flights to countries affected by the disease and hence it becomes difficult for traders to import products from other countries. The cost of the flight to the affected countries by the Ebola virus becomes significantly high hence price of goods and services rises. The cost of living goes high due to the limited supply of goods against the high demand in the affected nations. Most foreign investors close their premises and return back to their countries until the Ebola virus outbreak is over. The local people in the affected countries have limited sources of income when investors suspend their services due to the Ebola disease. Transportation becomes challenging as people have to be scanned for the presence of the virus before getting into a train or bus. Transactions are carried out slowly as people are cautious not to contract the Ebola virus hence businesses are adversely affected. Border closures and travel bans are enforced to ensure people from the affected countries do not spread the virus to neighboring states (Ladner et al.). Transporting goods and products for sale becomes extremely difficult due to border closures and many check points along major roads. Ships are not allowed to dock at the coasts of countries affected by Ebola virus hence trade and tourism industries are crippled. Without trade and tourism, the country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) contracts affecting the economy negatively. According to the World Bank, Senegal's GDP contracted by 1 percent at due to the outbreak of Ebola disease in 2014.
Impact on Education
Countries affected by Ebola virus suffer from falling standards of education. Many children are denied the opportunity to study as schools and colleges are closed down when an outbreak of Ebola disease is reported. Halting education affects children who are the future leaders as they will have challenges in pursuing different professions and careers. Lack of skilled labor affects the affected countries through dismal performance in trade and other sensitive professions. The industries face a shortage of skilled labor when a certain generation of children are denied their rights to education due to Ebola disease. According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), approximately 5 million children from Sierra Leone, Liberia, and Guinea missed their education for six months between 2014 and 2015 (CDC). During this period, many learning institutions of learning remained closed for a considerable period of time. Besides, the when children are unlikely to continue studying as they are required to work and assist their families. According to the Global Business Coalition for Education, many of the children from Liberia and Sierra Leone whose education was suspended due to Ebola outbreak never returned to pursue their education.
Economic Burden and Dependency
The high cost of managing Ebola disease affects the economy of the affected country. Quarantine centers and additional treatment centers are set up by the government, private hospitals, and the international community. Each of the health care facility set up requires supplies and hence various stakeholders spend a considerable amount of resources to purchase medical supplies. The international community is involved through a contribution of skilled nurses and doctors who participate in the fight against Ebola disease. Huge donations from international donors are needed to help in managing the effects of Ebola virus (Frieden et al.). As the disease kills many people within a short period of time, mass burials are often organized. Each of the people participating in burying the dead requires protective gears and quarantine chemicals to spray the environs. Many body bags and screening devices are required in large quantities to help to fight the Ebola disease hence the international community has to be invited to make contributions.
Increased Poverty and Social Impact
The poverty level in countries hit by the Ebola disease increases due to high dependency levels. Many children are left without parents and therefore they depend on the government and international donors to assist them to acquire basic requirements. According to UNICEF, 16,600 children from Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Guinea lost one or both parents due to Ebola outbreak in 2014 (Ladner et al.). The government finances the children who lost their parents due to the Ebola disease so that they can get basic education and become better people in the future.
Works Cited
Briand, Sylvie, et al. "The international Ebola emergency." New England Journal of Medicine 371.13 (2014): 1180-1183.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Interim Guidance for Specimen Collection, Transport, Testing and Submission for Patients with Suspected Infection with Ebola Virus Disease. Department of Health & Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2014.
Frieden, Thomas R., et al. "Ebola 2014—new challenges, new global response and responsibility." New England Journal of Medicine 371.13 (2014): 1177-1180.
Ladner, Jason T., et al. "Evolution and spread of Ebola virus in Liberia, 2014–2015." Cell host & microbe 18.6 (2015): 659-669.
