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Written By: Editorial Team | Published : October 16, 2014 1:16 PM IST
US President Barack Obama, during a video conference with the leaders of Germany, France, Italy and Britain said, that European leaders must make a greater commitment in the global fight against Ebola. He also said that while the impact of the Ebola epidemic in West Africa was tragic, but it also a threat to international security, and therefore all countries should make more significant contributions to halt the spread of the disease. The statement was released by the White House press secretary Josh Earnest on Wednesday.
He added, however, that establishing a prohibition on entry for air passengers coming to the US from the countries most affected by the virus was not being considered by the administration. After the video conference, France announced that it would initiate measures to check passengers coming from the zone affected by the virus, without specifying which countries. (Read: What is the Ebola virus disease survival rate?)
US authorities also have decided to strengthen checks at the country's main airports, where passengers arriving from West Africa are now having their temperatures taken in an attempt to detect early symptoms of Ebola. New York's JFK airport was the first to undertake temperature checks last weekend and, starting Thursday, it will be joined by Newark Liberty airport in New Jersey and Washington's Dulles International, as well as the Chicago and Atlanta airports. (Read: 8 tips to prevent Ebola infection)
A few hours prior to the video conference with the European leaders, Obama spoke over the phone with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and the two leaders agreed on the urgent need for the international community to do more to halt the spread of Ebola. According to the latest World Health Organization (WHO) figures, almost 4,500 people have died from Ebola during the current epidemic, which broke out in March, and more than 8,900 have been infected. The countries most seriously affected by the virus so far are Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea. (Read: 10 reasons that make the Ebola virus deadly for humans)
How the Ebola virus spreads in humans?
It spreads through infected body fluids: Ebola spreads from one infected person to the other through direct contact of the skin and other bodily fluids. The virus is present in the body fluids of an infected person which includes blood, semen, sweat, urine, saliva, feaces, vomit, etc. If a healthy person comes in contact with the infected body fluids that enters his system through open wounds, blood transfusions or through the eyes, ears, mouth, nostrils, genital area, it can infect an individual within a span of two to 21 days depending on the severity of the viral attack. Having unsafe sex with an infected person also can lead to the viral infection.
It can spread through direct skin to skin contact: One major reason why healthcare workers and immediate family members of infected Ebola victims were falling prey to the same in the infected areas is due to direct skin to skin contact with the patients. This is because the virus can be easily transmitted through an exchange of bodily fluids like sweat, saliva, etc. However, remember the virus would not spread only through casual contact. There has to be a medium for the transmission to take place and in case of a skin-to-skin contact it is either sweat, saliva, blood or other body fluids. It is advisable to take proper precautions if you need to be around a victim at any given point of time. Using protective equipment like gloves, masks and protective units is recommended to prevent the virus from spreading to a healthy individual. Read more about How the Ebola virus spreads in humans
With inputs from IANS
Photo source: Getty images
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