Ebola survivors in Liberia say they fear the disease could return to their communities [1, 2].
This anxiety stems from the lasting trauma of the 2014-2016 epidemic and recent reports of Ebola activity in other African nations. For many survivors, the threat is not a distant memory but a persistent psychological burden that affects their daily lives.
In Monrovia and surrounding areas, survivors recall the devastation of the previous outbreak. Musu, a survivor of the 2014-2016 epidemic, said she still wakes up scared that Ebola could come back and take her family again [1]. During that outbreak, six of Musu's family members died [1].
Regional health events have heightened these fears. A recent outbreak in Congo reported 246 suspected cases and 65 deaths [3]. While the Liberian government has focused on preparedness efforts, survivors maintain that the memory of the previous crisis remains fresh [1, 4].
Medical professionals emphasize the need for psychological support alongside clinical readiness. Dr. Kent Brantly, a former Ebola patient, said the community needs compassion rather than fear because the memory of the outbreak is still very fresh [5].
Survivors describe a struggle to return to normal lives while remaining vigilant for signs of the virus. The intersection of past loss and current regional instability creates a state of constant apprehension for those who survived the previous epidemic [1, 2].
“"I still wake up scared that Ebola could come back and take my family again."”
The persistent fear among survivors highlights a critical gap in post-epidemic recovery. While government infrastructure may focus on biological preparedness and surveillance, the psychological scars of the 2014-2016 outbreak remain untreated for many. This suggests that long-term public health strategies in West Africa must integrate mental health services to manage the trauma of survivors, as anxiety can impact community trust and cooperation during future health emergencies.
