WHO says Ebola unlikely to spread through air travel

The World Health Organization has stated that air travel to and from affected countries is not a high-risk activity for the spread of Ebola. Dr Isabelle Nuttall, speaking on behalf of WHO, said, “Air travel, even from Ebola-affected countries, is low-risk for Ebola transmission.”

Dr Nuttall emphasised that the disease is not spread by airborne particles, like influenza or tuberculosis. The infection is transmitted to others through direct contact with the bodily fluids of a sick person, such as blood, vomit, sweat, and diarrhoea. Even if an individual infected with Ebola virus disease (EVD) travels by plane, the likelihood of other passengers and crew coming into contact with the individual’s bodily fluids is very low.

The WHO does not recommend any travel or trade restrictions be applied except in cases where individuals have been confirmed or are suspected of being infected with EVD or where individuals have had contact with cases of EVD. The organisation stresses that contacts do not include properly-protected healthcare workers and laboratory staff.

As of August 13, the latest dates available as of August 15, there have been a total of 2,127 cases reported, including confirmed, probable and suspected cases, and 1,145 deaths, from the four West African countries dealing with the EVD outbreak. Between 12 and 13 August 2014, a total of 152 new cases of Ebola virus disease (laboratory-confirmed, probable, and suspect cases) as well as 76 deaths were reported from Guinea, Liberia, Nigeria and Sierra Leone.

According to Flightstats, airlines in the Niddle East that fly to the four countries include Royal Air Maroc, which flies to all four countries, and Etihad, which flies to Conakry, Guinea and Lagos, Nigeria. Emirates and Qatar Airways fly to Lagos, Nigeria. Emirates had flights to Conakry but these are now suspended until further notice because of Ebola.

The WHO downplayed the possibility of a global pandemic here.

WHO downplays possibility of global ebola epidemic

The World Health Organization (WHO) provided an overview of the spread of Ebola virus disease (EVD) in West Africa on 11 August and stressed that in countries with well-developed health systems, an epidemic is highly unlikely "given the epidemiology of the Ebola virus and experiences in past outbreaks".

The organisation noted that fear has led to a very high level of vigilance and clinical suspicion worldwide, stating that "such a high level of alert further increases the likelihood that any imported case will be quickly detected and properly managed, limiting onward transmission."

On the downside, the WHO observes that the same fear is compromising outbreak control when it causes airlines to refuse to transport personal protective equipment and courier services to refuse to transport properly and securely packaged patient samples to a WHO-approved laboratory.

Facts about Ebola

• The Ebola virus is highly contagious, but is not airborne. 
• Transmission requires close contact with the bodily fluids of an infected person, as can occur during health-care procedures, home care, or traditional burial practices. 
• The incubation period ranges from two to 21 days, but patients become contagious only after the onset of symptoms. As symptoms worsen, the ability to transmit the virus increases. As a result, patients are usually most likely to infect others at a severe stage of the disease, when they are visibly, and physically, too ill to travel. 
• There is no cure. 
• Early detection and supportive care greatly improve prospects for survival. 

Read about the WHO announcement of the gravity of the EVD situation here, and how India and Singapore have prepared for the disease.

World Health Organization calls Ebola outbreak a public health emergency of international concern

The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned 8 August that the Ebola outbreak in West Africa is a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC).

As of 4 August 2014, there have been 1,711 cases (1,070 confirmed, 436 probable, 205 suspect) of Ebola virus disease (EVD), including 932 deaths. Between 5 and 6 August 2014, a total of 68 new cases of EVD (laboratory-confirmed, probable, and suspect cases) as well as 29 deaths were reported from Guinea, Liberia, Nigeria, and Sierra Leone.

On 6 August, a Saudi man suspected of being infected with the Ebola virus passed away at 8.45am at a specialised hospital in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The patient had been admitted to the intensive care unit late on 4 August after exhibiting symptoms of viral hemorrhagic fever following a business trip to Sierra Leone, Saudi's Ministry of Health said. The cause of the infection is still under investigation, and people who had been in contact with the man are being traced or monitored for symptoms of Ebola.

The WHO further provides the following recommendations for states which are currently not affected by EVD nor adjacent to a state which is affected:

• There should be no general ban on international travel or trade; restrictions outlined in recommendations regarding the travel of EVD cases and contacts should be implemented.
• States should provide travelers to Ebola affected and at-risk areas with relevant information on risks, measures to minimise those risks, and advice for managing a potential exposure. 
• States should be prepared to detect, investigate, and manage Ebola cases; this should include assured access to a qualified diagnostic laboratory for EVD and, where appropriate, the capacity to manage travelers originating from known Ebola-infected areas who arrive at international airports or major land crossing points with unexplained febrile illness (fever). 
• The general public should be provided with accurate and relevant information on the Ebola outbreak and measures to reduce the risk of exposure. 
• States should be prepared to facilitate the evacuation and repatriation of nationals (e.g. health workers) who have been exposed to Ebola. 

On 11 August, WHO will convene a panel of medical ethics experts to begin looking at the use of experimental treatments in the ongoing EVD outbreak in West Africa. At this time, there are no registered medicines or vaccines against this deadly virus, though several experimental options are currently under development.

Emirates has already suspended flights to Conakry in Guinea until further notice due to the Ebola outbreak, the company said on its website. "We apologise for any inconvenience caused to our customers, however the safety of our passengers and crew is of the highest priority and will not be compromised," the company stated, asking affected customers to contact their travel agent or Emirates Call Centres for rebooking options, and visit the website for further updates.

Airlines flying to Sierra Leone include British Airways and Air France. British Airways has cancelled flights to Sierra Leone and Liberia till August 31. Air France also flies to Guinea, while Lufthansa flies to Nigeria.

Gulf Business has also reported that hajj visas are not being issued to pilgrims of the affected countries.

View the latest FAQ on EVD here.
Read about Singapore's preparedness activities here. Read about what India is doing about tracking nationals exposed to Ebola here.