If trained professionals (in West Africa and the US) are becoming infected by the deadly Ebola virus, what hope is there for fellow passengers in a tightly-packed metal tube? The World Health Organization expects Ebola cases to top 9000 this week and deaths to exceed 4500 as they shockingly note 427 healthcare workers are now infected. The economic impact of Ebola continues to rise as Liberia slashes its GDP estimate and East African nations discuss strategies to stop the spread from the West. In Europe, Germany is sending aid, the Spanish nurse is stable but Madrid airport activated emergency measures due to a suspected Ebola passenger. US screening restrictions increase as Yale New Haven Hospital is dealing with a patient with Ebole-like symptoms. Politicians begin debating travel bans as Dallas is expected to approve a "state of disaster" today. Contained?
First the shocking news:
- *EBOLA CASES TO EXCEED 9,000 IN W. AFRIA THIS WEEK, WHO SAYS
- *EBOLA DEATHS TO EXCEED 4,500 IN W. AFRICA THIS WEEK, WHO SAYS
- *427 HEALTH-CARE WORKERS INFECTED WITH EBOLA, WHO'S NUTTALL SAYS
Across Europe...
Officials claim the Spanish Ebola nurse is 'stable' and 68 low-risk people are being monitored (via Bloomberg)
Of 68 “low-risk” people being monitored for ebola infection in Spain, one developed low fever this morning, Fernando Simon, coordinator of the center of alerts and emergencies at Spain’s health ministry, says in news conference
- Person has fever above 37.7 degrees: Simon
- 15 “high-risk” contacts are still all asymptomatic: Simon
- Ebola patient Teresa Romero is stable; viral levels are falling, still not negative: Simon
But Madrid airport activated emergency measures... (via Reuters)
Madrid's Barajas international airport activated emergency measures on Thursday after a passenger arriving on an Air France flight was suspected of possibly having Ebola, a spokeswoman for airports operator Aena said.
Spain's health ministry confirmed that an Ebola emergency protocol had been set in motion but declined to give details.
Aena and Air France said in separate statements that a passenger on Air France 1300 from Lagos via Paris had started shaking during the flight. Air France said the other passengers disembarked from the plane, which will now be disinfected. The return flight has been cancelled.
And Germany is sending aid... (via Bloomberg)
Funding boost to raise German emergency aid against Ebola to EU102m ($130m), Christian Democratic Union lawmaker Nobert Barthle says in e-mailed statement.
- Funding approved by German lower-house budget committee yday
- Germany also contributing EU700m in long-term aid for African health systems: Barthle
In Africa...
Liberia cuts its GDP estimate... (via FrontPageAfrica)
Economic “growth is expected to be zero percent in 2015,” due to Ebola, contraction in mining activity, agriculture, services, Finance Minister Amara Konneh says in interview with online edition of Monrovia-based newspaper.
Disease “seriously affected economic activities and livelihoods throughout the country with domestic food production, mining activities, hospitality industry, and transport services all declining.”
And East African nations are in full panic mode...
“We have already seen an impact on our economies, regarding reduced tourism flows, flight cancellations,” Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta says at conference in Rwandan capital, Kigali.
- East African Community is being “proactive to avoid the spread of the virus to EAC countries”
- 5-nation bloc also looking for ways to help affected countries
- EAC includes Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda and Burundi
The US continues to see 'potential' cases arrive... (via WTNH) [6]
[7]
A patient is being evaluated at Yale New Haven Hospital at this hour with Ebola-like symptoms, according to a statement from the hospital.
A physicians document obtained by News 8 says, “On Wednesday evening Yale-New Haven Hospital admitted a patient who met the threshold to be monitored for Ebola virus disease(DVD). The Hospital is working with the CDC and Prevention and the State Department of Public Heath to have the patient tested for EVD.”
News 8 Medical Reporter Jocelyn Maminta has talked to a credible source with the hospital who says the patient is one of the Yale Researchers who just returned from a trip to Liberia on Monday. This is one of the same researchers officials decided not to have quarantined after their trip to Africa.
And politicians are pushing for travel bans and visa restrictions...
And Dallas County commissioners are expected to announce a "State of Disaster" today
* * *
Some context...
[8]
