Ebola...

Ebola virus outbreak is making headlines on world's mainstream media being global health emergency. Countries such as Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia, are said the three states where the outbreak has been the deadliest. A related case also registered in Nigeria. The disease has a potent to spreading to neighboring countries and even to other continents. Unless, timely and adequate preparations take place, the disease would roll to our country too. The BBC ascribing the latest from WHO which classified Kenya as a “high risk” nation wrote as this nation is vulnerable because it is a major transport hub, with many flights from West Africa. Our nation is no exception. Some 500 passengers enters Ethiopia from Nigeria on a daily basis. This depicts that the country, particularly flight crew members and the likes would potentially be vulnerable.

The old adage but goes afresh now “prevention is better than cure”. However, when it comes to Ebola virus this does not work. The world seems to remain far behind discovering either the vaccine or the cure. Therefore, “Prevention is the safe way out”.

Ethiopian flights to west Africa must strictly be checked.

In a Thursday press briefing with local journalists, Health Minister Dr. Kesete-Brhan said preparations are underway to prevent the outbreak of the disease ahead. He also unequivocally proved that no single case of Ebola suspect had been tested so far here. According to him, some 275 health professionals drawn from public and private health institutions were offered with training about the virus. Committees and Command Posts have also been organized to facilitate the prevention. Likewise, a special hospital and Ambulance are also at the ready to treat those which would exhibit symptoms. In addition, a mechanism of keeping those with fever at the airport quarantine has been launched.

For African countries where there exist higher dependency for pharmaceuticals on developed nations, this disease remains hard to contain. Horrendous would be when it is compounded with countries that are most populous as the available resource is too dwarf compared to demand. But, the deadly virus is in Africa for a time being unless countries collaborate sooner than later. It can go anywhere right, left and center. That is why it is marked as an international public health emergency. That is way countries which are moving world's largest economy such as China are willing to help humanity. A Chinese embassy press statement sent to The Ethiopian Herald indicated a provision of around USD 5 million for humanitarian aids to the three Ebola hardest hit countries namely Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia.

A single person with the Ebola case could spread the disease and would cost in human life. Let's substantiate this argument with a clear fact. "Nigeria declares National Emergency on the outbreak of the disease. Reports has shown that this nation becomes the “fourth West African country involved in the outbreak when a dual US-Liberian citizen infected with Ebola arrived in Lagos after flying from Liberia via Togo on 20 July”. That is why we need to expedite every efforts ahead to prevent our citizens.

The preparation discussed above must be intensified and get supports from every stakeholder. Equipment that help detect suspects need to be available at airline checkpoints and strict control should be done at gateway of boarders. In addition cabin crew members need to get the proper protection.

Sadly, it seems that the world has critically failed or even ignored to bring cure for this disease. May be it was considered as it happened only in Africa and everyone overlooked it back in the mid of 70's. Yes, such ignorance cost in immense to the global community. But, this time the disease is an international health emergency. Therefore, the international community need to quickly respond to the emergency call of nations affected by the virus. It is time to contain the virus and come up with genuine solution. People are dying in west Africa, and countries need to follow the imprint of China to get people out of despair of dying alone.

May omnipotent creator brightens the mind of those working to find a cure!