The Ebola outbreak could have a catastrophic impact on the economies of Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone, the World Bank says.
The organisation says the economic impact of the virus could "grow eight-fold" in the "already fragile states".
However, it says the cost can be limited if the epidemic - and the accompanying fear - is contained by a fast global response.
Ebola has killed 2,461 people in West Africa - the largest ever outbreak.
US President Barack Obama has called the latest outbreak "a threat to global security", and announced a larger US role in fighting the virus.
The measures announced included ordering 3,000 US troops to the region and building new healthcare facilities.
The announcement came as UN officials described the outbreak as a health crisis "unparalleled in modern times".
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Also on Wednesday, medical charity Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) reported that one of its workers had contracted Ebola in Liberia. The charity said the female employee, a French citizen, would be evacuated to a treatment centre in France.