The news is abuzz with new Ebola cases getting reported from the developed parts of the world like US and Europe which are supposed to be better equipped to contain Ebola spread. The scary part of all these incidents is not Ebola itself but the lax in measures to contain the virus spread.
First this one Thomas Eric Duncan comes to US from Liberia and with in 4 days fell sick of Ebola and goes to a hospital, receives anti biotics and comes home despite the fact that he should have been isolated then itself. When he comes the second time he is isolated with inadequate gear and unclear protocol. The result is a nurse gets infected of Ebola. The worst of this is that another nurse who treated Mr. Duncan travelled to other places by air travel, with a possibility of infecting numerous others.
The unforgivable mistake is the lack of responsibility from the nurse who traveled by air despite knowing the risk and protocol which says a strict NO to travel for 21 days of incubation. And the authorities of CDC should be punished equally for not implementing the protocol strictly.
Recently I read an interview of Dr. Peter Piot who co-discovered Ebola virus. At one point he says that there are close to 40,000 Indians working in Ebola hit countries and if anyone of them catches the virus and goes to India the situation will be worse. This worries anybody who knows how dangerous Ebola is.
On an average an Indian interacts with many people in a given day and the festival season is a time of get-together. Looking at the population, it's interactions and the possibilities of virus spread, it is very scary to imagine what happens if Ebola enters India.
So what should India do in addition to the measures it's already taking?
Look at the travel history of all people coming to India through airways or waterways. If anybody had travelled to Ebola hit country in the last 21 days then he might be a potential carrier of the virus. Better isolate them.
Stop issuing Visas for people from Ebola hit countries temporarily till the virus is contained.
Stop goods imports from Ebola hit countries
Devise an Ebola response protocol and train medical workers ahead.
Invest in Ebola vaccince development in collaboration with other countries.
Strict screening measures should be implemented at airports and ports.
Educate people about Ebola and how to identify the symptoms.
Hope for the best...
First this one Thomas Eric Duncan comes to US from Liberia and with in 4 days fell sick of Ebola and goes to a hospital, receives anti biotics and comes home despite the fact that he should have been isolated then itself. When he comes the second time he is isolated with inadequate gear and unclear protocol. The result is a nurse gets infected of Ebola. The worst of this is that another nurse who treated Mr. Duncan travelled to other places by air travel, with a possibility of infecting numerous others.
The unforgivable mistake is the lack of responsibility from the nurse who traveled by air despite knowing the risk and protocol which says a strict NO to travel for 21 days of incubation. And the authorities of CDC should be punished equally for not implementing the protocol strictly.
Recently I read an interview of Dr. Peter Piot who co-discovered Ebola virus. At one point he says that there are close to 40,000 Indians working in Ebola hit countries and if anyone of them catches the virus and goes to India the situation will be worse. This worries anybody who knows how dangerous Ebola is.
On an average an Indian interacts with many people in a given day and the festival season is a time of get-together. Looking at the population, it's interactions and the possibilities of virus spread, it is very scary to imagine what happens if Ebola enters India.
So what should India do in addition to the measures it's already taking?
Look at the travel history of all people coming to India through airways or waterways. If anybody had travelled to Ebola hit country in the last 21 days then he might be a potential carrier of the virus. Better isolate them.
Stop issuing Visas for people from Ebola hit countries temporarily till the virus is contained.
Stop goods imports from Ebola hit countries
Devise an Ebola response protocol and train medical workers ahead.
Invest in Ebola vaccince development in collaboration with other countries.
Strict screening measures should be implemented at airports and ports.
Educate people about Ebola and how to identify the symptoms.
Hope for the best...
