The World Bank warned yesterday that fear of the deadly Ebola virus is choking off economic activity in West Africa with potentially “catastrophic” results.
The “fear factor” is spurring even people unaffected by the disease to pull back on their work activities — in farming, mining, manufacturing or other areas — so that they are producing less, earning less and spending less.
That is exacerbating the already heavy burden Ebola is exacting on the finances and health systems of the three hardest-hit countries.
“If the virus continues to surge in the three worst-affected countries — Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone — its economic impact could grow eight-fold, dealing a potentially catastrophic blow to the already fragile states,” the World Bank said.
A key issue, the World Bank said, is containing the spread of fear of the disease, which has spurred people and companies to cut back economic activities.
