Will the Ebola virus reach Poland? This is one of the most frequently asked questions recently. All because of the rapidly spreading Ebola epidemic in West Africa, which is hardly controlled by the local sanitary services, and the first cases of the virus in Europe and the USA. In that case, are we also in danger of an epidemic of this deadly disease?
Ebola haemorrhagic fever virushas reached Guinea, Sierra Leone, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Mali, as well as Nigeria, Senegal, USA, UK and Spain since the outbreak began, and caused a combined 28 637 cases, including 11 315 fatalities. This is the result of the data of the World He alth Organization as of December 27, 2015, published by the Chief Sanitary Inspectorate. In turn, on January 14, 2016, the World He alth Organization (WHO) announced the end of the Ebola virus epidemic in Liberia and therefore throughout West Africa. However, she warned that there could be new epidemics of this disease.
Can the Ebola virus reach Poland?
The Director of the World He alth Organization (WHO) for Europe, Zsuzsanna Jakab, says that more cases of Ebola in Europe are "almost inevitable", but that the Old Continent is well prepared to control the disease, with thisEbola epidemicis not threatening us. And what is the risk that the hemorrhagic fever virus will reach Poland? Experts emphasize that it is possible, but in fact very unlikely, to reach our country. Even if it does, Poland is ready for it.
According to specialists, the risk of Ebola spreading to Europe and other continents is much greater when the virus covers those African countries whose citizens often travel to different regions of the world (e.g. Nigeria, whose inhabitants go to Great Britain or the USA , and where 4 cases have already been reported). Therefore, Poles could contract Ebola sooner while abroad than in their own country. The infection could occur not only through direct contact with the patient's secretions or body fluids, but also, for example, by touching the hotel bed on which he was lying, its bedding, towels and other surfaces,with which he had contact. It is important to know that the disease is not transmitted by air, such as the flu.
The current risk of bringing Ebola to Poland is extremely low, but it cannot be completely ruled out
However, in African countries whose inhabitants have greater contact with the rest of the world, appropriate security procedures have already been implemented. For example, at an airport in Guinea, each passenger undergoes an inspection (including body temperature measurement) before boarding the plane. A person who shows signs of infection (fever is the first symptom) is referred to hospital. In turn, two airlines flying from Nigeria to other regions of Africa, closed their connections with Sierra Leone and Liberia - countries where the highest number of new cases was recorded from the last day of July to the first day of August.
How Poland protects itself against the Ebola epidemic?
Jan Bondar from the Chief Sanitary Inspectorate believes that "the risk of an epidemic in Europe is zero", but admits that individuals with Ebola virus may find their way to Poland. Therefore, the GIS prepared itself in the event of Ebola reaching our country. If a hazard is identified at an airport, a danger zone may be created there. If it turned out that the returning from the trip had developed symptoms of the disease, he would be referred to this zone, and then taken to the hospital and quarantined. Then, thorough decontamination of people, rooms and objects with which he has come into contact will be carried out. His luggage will also be secured. However, these are only plans, as they have not been implemented so far.
At the same time, GIS advises against traveling to the areas affected by the epidemic, and those who decide to choose there are advised to be especially careful.
ImportantWhy is Ebola so dangerous?
Mortality from Ebola infection is very high. Depending on the strain of the virus, 25 to 90 percent of infected people die. And the virus that caused the current epidemic is among the most virulent. The Ebola virus is also dangerous because it is easy to get infected. Although it is not transmitted by air, such as the flu, it can become infected both through direct contact with someone who is sick and with things that they have touched. There is also no vaccine or drugs effective against this virus.