Beware: Burying Can Be Dangerous! The Economic Effects of Escalating Health Situations in African Countries

Abstract

The article deals with major epidemics and pandemics, focusing on the economic effects of what they can cause in African countries. It intends to offer a sensible argument about the current state of the Ebola epidemic amidst heated tabloid visions of the unavoidable end result of the largest number of deaths ever, stirred by the global media. It argues that the biggest economic disadvantage of an epidemic with such a rapid outbreak is not derived from the rise in direct health-related costs, but the irrational behavior of frightened citizens and the new chaotic situation. All these are especially important to bear in mind when analyzing international migration challenges all across the world.