Ebola and Other Disease Outbreaks: Implications for Economic Growth and Trade

This brief discusses the impact of disease on trade, economic growth and commerce, with particular reference to the recent Ebola outbreak in West Africa. It examines the impact of disease on different economic sectors and discusses the importance of global health security and the strengthening of systems to reduce risk factors that amplify the spread of infectious diseases and debilitate sustained economic stability. There is a need to understand the role of regional and international cooperation mechanisms and policies, especially the role of trade agreements such as the African Growth and Opportunity Act in promoting economic trade and growth to assist in preventing the spread of various diseases.