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Written By: Editorial Team | Published : October 17, 2014 4:06 PM IST
It is common protocol, when someone is diagnosed with Ebola virus disease, for them to be quarantined. But it is how they are treated while being quarantined is also an area of concern for the UN. In an attempt to protect the dignity of those diagnosed with the disease the UN has announced that it is drawing up guidelines to prevent human rights violations in health quarantine for people suspected of having contracted the deadly Ebola virus. UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Raad al-Hussein said his office was establishing guidelines under which mandatory health quarantines could be imposed.
Quarantine can easily constitute a violation of numerous human rights if imposed and enforced unjustly, he noted. He added that imposing criminal punishments in the context of the fight against Ebola might have the opposite result, driving people in danger of contracting the disease underground. The Jordanian official also compared Ebola with the Islamic State (IS) terrorists who have taken control of vast areas in Iraq and Syria and described them as 'twin plagues'. (Read: Ebola virus signs and symptoms you need to watch out for!)
Both emerged quietly and were neglected by a world that knew they existed but misread their terrible potential before exploding into global consciousness during the latter months of 2014, he said. He added the Ebola outbreaks in Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea amount to a violation of human rights because ignoring people's rights to education, health, sanitation, development and good governance played a part in the crisis. (Read: How the Ebola virus spreads in humans)
The UN official defended the need to respect human rights during the struggle against Ebola, saying that the viral disease flourishes at the intersection of poverty, the inability to deliver adequate public services and a lack of trust towards government authorities. Al-Hussein also stressed the importance of not making distinctions between Ebola patients and other people who have not contracted the disease. (Read: Ebola facts frequently asked questions (FAQ))
Why Ebola virus is mutating rapidly?
A recent research related to the Ebola virus disease (EVD) states that the Ebola virus is rapidly mutating, making it difficult to diagnose and treat. A study conducted on the initial patients being infected with the virus in Sierra Leone revealed more than 400 genetic modifications of the Ebola virus, which might prove detrimental for the ongoing treatment measures but also to the vaccines that are under clinical trials for future treatment of the Ebola virus.
The Researchers at the Broad Institute in Massachusetts and Harvard University warn that the Ebola virus is constantly undergoing mutation. The findings show that the future treatment options including vaccines as well as diagnosing of the disease will be very difficult and less effective as mutations will continue. As of now, the researchers have analysed around 99 Ebola viral genomes. Since the Ebola outbreak in West Africa in March, more than 1550 people have died of the Ebola virus disease. Earlier in August (24th), a new viral strain of the Ebola virus different from the one being observed in West Africa was detected in those from Democratic Republic of Congo, posing threat to million of lives all over the world. Read more about Ebola virus is mutating rapidly say scientists
With inputs from IANS
Photo source: Getty images
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