The effects of epidemics on Sierra Leone’s human and economic resources is unparalleled by any other form of disasters from natural hazards. The Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) which broke out in Sierra Leone in 2014 is the most overwhelming disaster the country has faced in its post-conflict era. More than 14,000 Sierra Leoneans were infected, of whom nearly 4,000 died.
The unprecedented emergence of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in Sierra Leone placed enormous strains on national systems and on the resources and capacities of the government to cope with the public health crisis.
The rapid spread of EVD, from isolated outbreaks in Kailahun and Kenema, to all thirteen districts of the country demanded the introductory of extraordinary measures to contain the epidemic, including the declaration of a State of Emergency and special security powers to quarantine affected areas, place restrictions on internal movement, close markets and schools and reduce public gatherings[1].
Between 1980 and 2010 epidemics were the deadliest hazards in Sierra Leone. During those 30 years, epidemics were
Urban areas, where the majority of the population lives without access to pipe borne water, are the most vulnerable communities. Lassa fever, a viral haemorrhagic fever with symptoms similar to those of Ebola Virus Disease, is endemic in much of West Africa, including Sierra Leone and her most immediate neighbours. The disease which usually sparks a seasonal outbreak from December to March remains a major public health threat in Sierra Leone. Three people died of Lassa fever in Kenema during the second week of February 2017, with concerns of
Parameters |
Scale |
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1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
|
Frequency |
Very Rarely |
Rarely |
Sometimes |
Often |
Frequently |
Magnitude |
Trivial |
Small |
Moderate |
Large |
Very Large |
Duration |
Very Short |
Short |
Average |
Long |
Very Long |
Areal Extent |
Limited |
Very Sparsely |
Sparsely |
Densely |
Widespread |
Spatial Predictability |
Highly Predictable |
Predictable |
Likely |
Randomly |
Very Randomly |
Speed of onset |
Very Slow |
Slow |
Moderate |
Fast |
Very Fast |
Importance |
Not Important |
Somewhat Important |
Moderately |
Important |
Very Important |
Spatial Dispersion |
Very Concentrated |
Concentrated Moderately |
Moderately |
Diffused |
Widely Diffused |
District Profile
Area/District |
Frequency Scale |
Magnitude Scale |
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2 |
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4 |
5 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
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Western Area |
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Bo |
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Bonthe |
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Moyamba |
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Pujehun |
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Bombali |
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Port Loko |
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Tonkolili |
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Kambia |
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Koinadugu |
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Kenema |
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Kono |
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Kailahun |
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[1] Government of Sierra Leone. (2014).The Economic and Social Impact of Ebola Virus Disease in Sierra Leone. October
[2] Tarawalli, P. (2012). Diagnostics Analysis of Climate Change and Disaster Management in Relation to the PRSP III in Sierra Leone. Freetown: UNDP - SL.