Among the following, which were frequently mentioned in the news for the outbreak of Ebola virus recently?
Answer & explanation
Answer: (b) Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia
The 2014–16 Ebola epidemic was centred in the West African countries of Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone. These three countries were named in WHO's outbreak reports and in the news in 2014–15.
- ✓ (b) WHO's 2014 outbreak reports tracked the Ebola virus disease outbreak in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone, the three worst-hit West African countries.
- ✗ (a) Syria and Jordan are in West Asia. They were in the news for conflict and refugees, not for Ebola.
- ✗ (c) The Philippines and Papua New Guinea have no link to this outbreak. The word 'Guinea' in 'Papua New Guinea' is only a name coincidence and can mislead.
- ✗ (d) Jamaica and Haiti are in the Caribbean and Surinam is in South America. None of them was an Ebola outbreak centre.
Remember · The 2014–16 Ebola epidemic hit Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone in West Africa. WHO declared it a Public Health Emergency of International Concern in August 2014.
Sources
- WHO Disease Outbreak News, 17 July 2014: Ebola virus disease, West Africa ↗ “WHO continues to monitor the evolution of the Ebola virus disease (EVD) outbreak in Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone.”
Question: UPSC Civil Services (Preliminary) 2015, General Studies Paper I. Explanation: Minimalist IAS, checked 25 Oct 2026 (how we verify). ·
