WORLDWIDE CONTACT US ABOUT US INVENTING FOR LIFE PRODUCTS RESEARCH LICENSING NEWSROOM CAREERS INVESTORS Home MERCK'S RESPONSE TO THE EBOLA OUTBREAK Along with international agencies and governments, Merck has played — and continues to play — a leadership role in responding to Ebola. The 2014–2016 Ebola outbreak in West Africa was the largest and most complex Ebola outbreak since the virus was first discovered in 1976. There were more cases and deaths in this outbreak than all others combined. It also spread between countries, starting in Guinea then moving across land borders to Sierra Leone and Liberia. Unfortunately, a new outbreak was declared in May 2018 in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. MERCK SUPPORT Scientists from Merck, along with many external collaborators, remain at the forefront of the efforts to address this infectious disease. Merck has also provided cash donations to a number of organizations involved in Ebola relief and recovery efforts: MERCK'S COMPANY STATEMENT News regarding shipments of investigational Ebola Zaire Vaccine V920 to the Democratic Republic of the Congo. INTERNATIONAL MEDICAL CORPS: Funding helped build, staff and provide training on effective Ebola isolation units and referral systems at the Phebe and C.B. Dunbar Hospitals in Bong County, Liberia. DIRECT RELIEF: Funding helped support the transport of medical supplies to the region. Donated Merck products were also included in these shipments. U.S. FUND FOR UNICEF: Funding supported UNICEF’s efforts focusing on controlling the outbreak, reinforcing and ensuring access to essential social services and scaling up prevention and preparedness activities. PROJECT HOPE: Funds went towards conducting an assessment in Sierra Leone to determine specific strategies to stop the spread of the Ebola virus and prevent future outbreaks. Merck also sent two infectious disease experts who specialize in infection control to join a team of other specialists to advise and conduct a rapid assessment of the response and relief efforts on the ground. Merck Medical Outreach Program partner MAP International shipped donated Merck products in their Medical Mission Packs to partners in Liberia and Sierra Leone to help support the health systems in both countries during the 2014 - 2016 outbreak. Our community involvement programs focus on solving critical health and social issues. LEARN MORE Corporate Responsibility at Merck. LEARN MORE Updated June 2018 Copyright. © 2009-2018 Merck Sharp & Dohme Corp., a subsidiary of Merck & Co., Inc. All rights reserved. Forward-Looking Statement Privacy Terms of Use Site Map