Several factors contributed to the severity of the 2014-2016 Ebola outbreak: - Delayed Detection: Initial cases were not promptly identified, allowing the virus to spread. - Weak Healthcare Systems: The affected countries had fragile healthcare infrastructures, limiting their ability to effectively respond. - Urban Spread: Unlike previous outbreaks that were confined to rural areas, this outbreak spread to urban centers, increasing transmission rates. - Cultural Practices: Traditional burial practices, which involve washing and touching the body, facilitated the spread of the virus.
