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Casablanca — The Ebola epidemic in West Africa is no longer just a matter of the affected countries of Liberia, Sierra Leone, New Guinea and Nigeria. The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared Ebola an international health emergency.
With around 1000 deaths due to Ebola in West Africa having been reported to the WHO, the organization has declared an international health emergency in an effort to contain the heaviest outbreak so far of the Ebola disease.
The WHO is now in control of issuing regulations under international law to prevent the further spread of the Ebola epidemic. Accordingly, all countries must contribute to help fight the epidemic, as explained by the Director-General of the WHO, Dr. Margaret Chan today during a meeting in Geneva, Switzerland.
The WHO also has the power to close borders and prohibit travel if Ebola spreads to other countries through virus-infected travellers.
The WHO’s declaration that the Ebola epidemic is an international health emergency does not mean that Europe or other parts of the world are in danger. It means that the organization must adopt rules to curb the Ebola outbreak and maintain control over its spread.The chances of Ebola reaching other countries are to be very minimal however, since Ebola-infected people are being monitored and travelers are being checked. In addition, possible quarantine measures such as border closures and restrictions in international travel are being strictly adhered to by medical authorities.
According to a German news-outlet, Online Focus, Dr. Chan said in a press conference that "All measures are aimed at preventing the further international spread [of Ebola].”
The WHO has also appealed for more education on how to detect, behave, and cope with the virus in the event the disease is able to reach other countries. The WHO has called upon the international community to support the concerned West African states by providing money, medicine, medical facilities, and medical volunteers.
