Ebola outbreak is a public health emergency, says World Health Organisation
WHO announced the Ebola outbreak as the largest and longest in history
New Delhi: TThe World Health Organisation on Friday declared the Ebola outbreak in West Africa as an international public health emergency, recommending high vigilance, travel restriction and exit screening for people coming from infected countries.
Calling it a largest outbreak with death rate of about 50 percent, the WHO DG Dr Margaret Chan said that" many countries will see Ebola virus. The virus has so far killed at least 932 people.
While, the WHO did not recommend any travel or trade bans but said people who had close contact with Ebola patients should not travel internationally. For countries with Ebola, the WHO also discouraged mass gatherings.
"The counties infected with Ebola should declare it a health emergency, step up medical care and implement control measures," said Dr Keiji Fukuda, Assistant Director General, WHO from Geneva.
Read: How does Ebola virus spread and can it be stopped?
The International health agency also sent out its recommendations for the funerals and burials. "There is a lot of touching when someone dies. Infected Counties should ensure that the funerals and burials are carried with health regulations, with the help of professional teams," added Dr Fukuda, after the experts came out with their recommendations for containing the spread of the virus.
The WHO chief said the announcement is "a clear call for international solidarity" The outbreak is moving faster. It is for real and very typical. however it is not mysterious and can be contained if proper measures are taken"
Read: India on alert for Ebola virus, Health Minister Harsh Vardhan outlines plan
The agency had convened an expert committee this week to assess the severity of the continuing epidemic.
The current outbreak of Ebola began in Guinea in March and has since spread to Sierra Leone and Liberia, with a suspected cluster in Nigeria. So far there is no licensed treatment or vaccine for Ebola. the WHO on Monday take a call on the unlicensed drugs available for its treatment.
Watch: WHO says Ebola outbreak is out of control