WHO Declares Ebola Virus As International Public Health Emergency

WHO Declares Ebola Virus As International Public Health Emergency

The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the Ebola epidemic in West Africa as an international public health emergency. Extraordinary steps need to be taken to counter the spread of this disease. This is the longest outbreak of Ebola wherein a death rate of 50% has been noted and close to 1000 deaths have resulted from the disease. WHO Chief Dr . Margaret Chen has called for "international solidarity" in countering this disease though there are many countries which may not have Ebola cases. A similar emergency had been declared for swine flu in 2009 and polio in May. Dr. Chen has said at a Geneva news conference that “Countries affected to date simply do not have the capacity to manage an outbreak of this size and complexity on their own. I urge the international community to provide this support on the most urgent basis possible.” An expert committee has been convened this week for assessing the severity of the epidemic.

The current outbreak of the Ebola virus broke out in Guinea in March and it has now spread to Sierra Leone and Liberia. There is also suspected cases in Nigeria. One person from the Middle East has already succumbed to the disease while 2 Americans working in Africa also contracted the disease. There is currently no licensed treatment and/or vaccine for Ebola though an experimental drug by ZMapp Pharmaceuticals has been used for the Americans affected by the disease. The US has cited inability to provide this drug on account of lack of FDA approval. The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention have elevated their Ebola response to the highest level and also announced West Africa off limits for travellers.

The WHO declaration may bring in more foreign aid and help may be forthcoming if countries realise just how grave the situation is. The declaration may also spur more health workers to reach West Africa. “The situation is very critical and different from what we’ve seen before,” Dr. Heinz Feldmann, chief of virology at the U.S. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease has been quoted as saying. “There are so many locations with transmission popping up and we just need more people on the ground.” WHO did not recommend any travel or trade bans but indicated people who had close contact with Ebola patients should not travel internationally. Various recommendations have been issued for potential cases. This includes exit screenings at international airports. Countries without any Ebola cases have been asked to heighten their surveillance and treat suspected cases as health emergencies.

The 2 African nations which have been worst affected by the Ebola virus include Liberia and Sierra Leone and both these nations have enforced quarantines for stopping infected persons from travelling to other countries. Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has issued an alert that no one would be allowed in and out of the nation if they have fever. Civil liberties may also have to be suspended even as a national emergency has been declared in Liberia. "A coordinated international response is deemed essential to stop and reverse the international spread of Ebola," the WHO was quoted as having said in a statement issued after a two-day meeting here of its emergency committee."It was the unanimous view of the committee that the conditions for a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) have been met," it has added."The possible consequences of further international spread are particularly serious in view of the virulence of the virus, the intensive community and health facility transmission patterns, and the weak health systems in the currently affected and most at-risk countries," the WHO statement said. This is one of the largest EVD outbreaks of all times and countries need to be alert about their citizens who are in West Africa. While India has reiterated its preparedness in the event of any outbreak, it would be reassuring to know that national disaster and emergency management mechanisms are also in place along with community awareness and careful monitoring of international travellers. A 24 hour helpline for people in India is already at place in Ram Manohar Lohia hospital currently.