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Written By: Editorial Team | Published : October 28, 2014 11:17 AM IST
Scott Morrison, Australian Immigration Minister said that the Australian government has stopped visa requests from Ebola-affected countries to help prevent its outbreak in the country. 'We are cancelling and refusing non-permanent or temporary visas for persons from Ebola-infected countries who haven't departed yet for Australia,' said Scott, according to radio station ABC. (Read: What is the Ebola virus disease survival rate?)
'These measures include temporarily suspending our immigration programme, including our humanitarian programme, from EVD (Ebola Virus Disease)-affected countries,' added Scott. The announcement came the same day Australian health services reported the negative outcome of the analyses of a young woman who had arrived in the country recently from West Africa. (Read: Ebola Facts: Top 7 myths busted)
The patient, suffering from fever, was placed in quarantine Sunday in a hospital in Brisbane 12 days after her arrival. It was the second case of possible contagion in Australia after the test results of an Australian nurse who worked as a volunteer in Sierra Leone, submitted earlier this month, was negative. So far, the Ebola outbreak is concentrated in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone where nearly 10,000 people have been infected and more than 4,900 have died. (Read: 9 warning symptoms of Ebola that you should know)
Here are some of the frequently asked questions (FAQs) with answers about the deadly Ebola disease
How is the Ebola virus disease caused?
The Ebola virus disease (EVD) is a contagious disease caused by infection with one of the four strains of the Ebola virus. The Ebola virus belongs to the family of Filoviridae and the viral strains with potential for infection in humans are Zaire, Bundibugyo, Tai Forest and Sudan virus.
How does it spread?
The Ebola virus spreads through direct contact with the body fluids (semen, sweat, saliva and blood), infected objects (needles) and close skin contact with an infected person. It can also be transmitted through close contact with infected animals (handling the meat) and consumption of uncooked meat. Read more about Ebola facts frequently asked questions (FAQ)
With inputs from IANS
Photo source: Getty images
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