Mobilization Against Ebola

The international community is on alert as the hemorrhagic fever caused by Ebola is spreading. Romania too takes precautionary measures.

România Internațional, 09.10.2014, 13:56

Several European Union countries, including Britain, France, Austria and Belgium, have responded to the European Commission’s call, by providing mobile hospitals, ambulances, sanitary items, protection equipment and experts, in an attempt to stop the spread of the hemorrhagic fever epidemics caused by Ebola. With almost 8 thousand people contaminated and some 4 thousand killed, the most dangerous disease of the moment seems to have gone out of control.

Sierra Leone, Guinea and Liberia are by far the most affected countries, alongside Nigeria and Senegal. Growing increasingly concerned, as one American citizen died in the US because of the disease, and following the news of contamination outside the African continent, Europe and the US are taking strict security measures to make sure the epidemics does not turn into a global threat. “Sporadic cases of Ebola virus disease in Europe are unavoidable. This is due to travel between Europe and the affected countries in West Africa” the World Health Organization has stated, adding however that European countries are among the best prepared in the world to respond to viral hemorrhagic fever, including Ebola.

Analyzing patterns of propagation and the air traffic, experts say the probability for the virus to reach France and Great Britain by the end of the month ranges between 50 and 75%, and the risk drops to 20% if flights to the affected areas are reduced by 80%. A study conducted by several scientists shows that people who do not know they are infected can bring the disease to Europe.

Still, the WHO has imposed no restrictions to the affected countries and has encouraged airlines to maintain their flights to those areas. In another move, the EU has decided to organize an air operation meant to help the African countries affected. Three Boeing 747 cargo jets will be sent to Sierra Leone, Liberia and Guinea. The first is to take off Friday from Amsterdam, with 100 tons of material on board, heading for Freetown, the capital of Sierra Leone. As precautionary measure, Romanian authorities have decided to set up a mobile hospital in the proximity of Bucharest, where people potentially contaminated with Ebola could be treated.