[ 2016-03-31 ]

WHO downgrades Ebola health risk
Ebola is no longer an "extraordinary health event"
and the risk of the virus spreading is low, the
World Health Organization says.

It means the disease is not thought to be a
significant public health threat to countries
outside of those affected in West Africa.

A small cluster of cases are still occurring in
Guinea, but Sierra Leone and Liberia have not had
any in months. But experts say countries must
remain vigilant for new flare ups of Ebola.

There have been 12 of these to date - the most
recent on 17 March in Guinea.

The WHO says countries have been able to react to
these clusters quickly to contain them. And all
original chains of Ebola transmission have ended
in the three West African countries that were
plagued by the disease.

Ebola is spread by close physical contact.

The virus is carried in bodily fluids - blood,
vomit and saliva - which means people who care for
the sick are vulnerable to catching the infection.


It has also been detected in the semen of male
survivors, and the WHO says national and
international efforts must be intensified to
ensure such men can have their semen checked to
know if they might still be able to spread the
infection.

And work must continue on the use of Ebola
vaccination for intimate and close contacts of
those survivors who still carry the virus, says
the WHO.

But there should be no restrictions on travel and
trade with Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone - any
such measures should be lifted immediately, it
says.

Source - BBC

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