The following editorial and opinion pieces discuss issues surrounding the Ebola outbreak response in West Africa.

Washington Post: The global complacency on Ebola must end
Editorial Board

“The Ebola epidemic now sweeping West Africa is a public health catastrophe, yet the world’s response has been to treat it like a faraway monsoon or volcano, perhaps frightening but not something that much can be done about. This complacency is wrong-headed and dangerous. The catastrophe is worsening by the day because of the actions and inactions of people, those on the ground and those far away. … The current effort needs to be scaled up three- or four-fold. The states of West Africa cannot do it alone. … This is a dire emergency. The paltry response is unacceptable” (9/9).

Seattle Times: Ebola just one of many infectious diseases ravaging the world
John Aitchison, scientific director and principal investigator at Seattle BioMed

“…Even as the battle to combat Ebola in West Africa and prevent its spread continues, the public cannot lose sight of the much larger struggle against infectious disease being waged today. … The current Ebola outbreak has captured the attention of the world. But as I, and others in my field know too well, this is just one small battle in the war against a deadly foe. Greater awareness of the horrific impact these diseases wage on communities, families, parents, and children every day would help ensure that the public is able to sustain the commitment and resources needed to eradicate infectious diseases from the world once and for all” (9/9).

Devex: Civil society engagement can help win the fight against Ebola
Prince Kreplah, chair of Liberia’s CSO WASH Network

“…After the government becomes open to civil society, the next step is to set up appropriate mechanisms for civil society to be included in the national strategies to fight Ebola. To be empowered, one must be a part of the plan. We need the ability to be able to move freely around the country, with government-allocated resources to combat this and other infectious diseases. … We can’t lose this battle. We need to scale up the response immediately to ensure that people do not continue to die of preventable diseases and neglect…” (9/9).