Ebola not excluded in Germany

Ebola: RKI does not want to exclude epidemic introduction

13/10/2014

More than 4,000 people have already fallen victim to the dangerous Ebola epidemic in West Africa. Several Westerners are also treating several patients with typical Ebola symptoms or proven to be ill. Meanwhile, experts also believe that introducing the deadly virus into Germany is possible.

Introduction possible - risk low
The vice president of the Berlin Robert Koch Institute (RKI), Lars Schaade, according to a message from the news agency dpa according to an introduction of the dangerous Ebola virus to Germany for possible. The expert said today in the „ZDF Morning Magazine“, that there is a risk, but that is low. Nevertheless, it must be expected. The authorities in this country are well prepared. „We have done exercises and have seen in past suspicion cases that this chain works very well“, explained Schaade.

Over 4,000 people have died of Ebola
Meanwhile, the World Health Organization (WHO) has indicated that more than 8,000 Ebola cases have been registered in the three most Ebola-affected countries, Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone. Over 4,000 people have died. However, experts assume a high number of unreported cases. Although intensive research has been done on a vaccine and a cure since the outbreak and spread of the dangerous infectious disease, both are still unavailable. In patients, only the typical symptoms, such as fever, diarrhea, nausea and internal and external bleeding can be alleviated.

Security measures tightened internationally
Internationally, the security measures have been tightened in recent days for fear of the disease. In the meantime, travelers from countries with Ebola are being examined for possible symptoms at New York's John F. Kennedy Airport. Four more major US airports are to follow. In the US, a nurse had become infected despite the protective clothing and security measures. She had treated the first Ebola patient in the US. This had died on Wednesday last week.

Federal Health Minister sees no cause for concern
In Israel, special controls have now been introduced for travelers from the West African crisis region. This applies to Ben Gurion International Airport near Tel Aviv, as well as to all border crossings and seaports. In Germany, similar tests are not planned for the time being. According to Federal Health Minister Hermann Gröhe (CDU), there is currently no cause for concern. In Germany, there are treatment centers that specialize in dealing with highly contagious diseases. (Ad)