SIPRI Yearbook 2015
I. Infectious diseases and international security
The unprecedented scale of the Ebola virus disease (EVD) outbreak in West Africa, which continued throughout 2014, was a stark reminder of the international security threats posed by emerging infectious diseases.1 EVD cases were initially limited to Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone. Sporadic, limited incidences of infection later arose in Europe and the United States, primarily when infected health care workers were brought back to their home countries for treatment.2 As of 7 January 2015 more than 20 000 confirmed, probable and suspected EVD cases had been reported, resulting in over 8000 deaths.3 This was the largest outbreak in history since the first cases of the virus were recorded in 1976.4 The mortality rate of this strain has varied from 50 per cent to 70 per cent, while previously observed mortality rates of EVD during past outbreaks have varied from 25 per cent to 88 per cent among the five known strains of the virus.5 Had the disease been more contagious, the security and health consequences could have reached catastrophic proportions.
- Citation (MLA):
- Hart, John, and Peter Clevestig. "13. Chemical and biological security threats." SIPRI Yearbook. SIPRI. Oxford: Oxford University Press. 2016. Web. 2 Dec. 2023. <https://www.sipriyearbook.org/view/9780198737810/sipri-9780198737810-chapter-13-div1-2.xml>.
- Citation (APA):
- Hart, J., & Clevestig, P. (2016). 13. Chemical and biological security threats. In SIPRI, SIPRI Yearbook 2015: Armaments, Disarmament and International Security. Oxford: Oxford University Press. Retrieved 2 Dec. 2023, from https://www.sipriyearbook.org/view/9780198737810/sipri-9780198737810-chapter-13-div1-2.xml
- Citation (Chicago):
- Hart, John, and Peter Clevestig. "13. Chemical and biological security threats." In SIPRI Yearbook 2015: Armaments, Disarmament and International Security, SIPRI. (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2016). Retrieved 2 Dec. 2023, from https://www.sipriyearbook.org/view/9780198737810/sipri-9780198737810-chapter-13-div1-2.xml
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