WHO committee identifies more action to contain Ebola

The World Health Organisation (WHO) Monday said the second meeting of the emergency committee on the 2014 Ebola virus disease outbreak in West Africa identified a number of areas where more action and attention is urgently needed to contain the growing outbreak.

The second meeting of the Emergency Committee convened by WHO's director-general under the International Health Regulations was held with members and advisors of the emergency committee via email Sep 16-21, Xinhua reported.

The committee noted that flight cancellations and other travel restrictions continue to isolate affected countries resulting in detrimental economic consequences, and hinder relief and response efforts risking further international spread.

It strongly reiterated that there should be no general ban on international travel or trade, except for the restrictions outlined in the previous recommendations regarding the travel of Ebola cases and contacts.

The committee also advised that affected countries should fully engage with the transport sector, especially the aviation and maritime sectors, to facilitate a mutual understanding of potentially diverse viewpoints and develop a coordinated response.

Where extraordinary supplemental measures such as quarantine are considered necessary in countries with intense and widespread transmission, affected countries should ensure that they are proportionate and evidence-based, and that accurate information, essential services and commodities, including food and water, are provided to the affected populations.

Meanwhile, the committee stressed that affected countries should ensure healthcare workers receive adequate security measures for their safety and protection, support to families of deceased healthcare workers, as well as access to adequate healthcare services, in particular for international health care workers.

On Aug 8, WHO declared that the Ebola outbreak in West Africa constituted a public health risk, and met the conditions for a Public Health Emergency of International Concern.