All documented Ebola outbreaks were due to infection control lapses, according to Paul Farmer, a physician, anthropologist, chief strategist and cofounder of Partners in Health.
Staff, stuff, systems and space are needed to combat infections inhealthcare-deficient areas, according to an article on the Observer website.
Countries that experienced serious outbreaks were vulnerable because of weak health systems that collapsed because of wars and a lack of investment in health and education.
Farmer also said emergency responses to epidemics never lead to health system strengthening. Training, capacity building and research are critical to ensuring that an epidemic does not return.