Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

A health worker cleans his hands before entering an Ebola screening tent in Sierra Leone AP Photo/Michael Duff

WHO says you're unlikely to get Ebola on a plane

The number of people who have died has now hit 1,069.

THE WORLD HEALTH Organisation has told travellers that the risk of getting Ebola on an airplane remains very low.

WHO said that the risk of passengers or crew having contact with a victim’s body fluids is extremely small, even if someone is sick with Ebola.

The organisation  has advised against any travel bans being put in place on affected countries, pointing out that when someone is sick with the virus, they were usually so unwell that they can’t travel.

“Unlike infections such as influenza or tuberculosis, Ebola is not airborne,” said Dr Isabelle Nuttall of WHO. “It can only be transmitted by direct contact with the body fluids of a person who is sick with the disease”.

“Because the risk of Ebola transmissions on airplanes is so low, WHO does not consider air transport hubs at high risk for further spread of Ebola”.

An estimated 1,069 people have died in four countries in what is believed to be the worst ever outbreak of the highly contagious disease.

Guinea has been worst hit with 377 deaths so far, closely followed by Liberia where 355 people have died, and Sierra Leone with 334 deaths. Three people have also died in Nigeria.

The US has this afternoon  ordered any family members of people working at its embassy in Sierra Leone to leave the country due to the outbreak.

WHO also confirmed that Kenya is a “high-risk” country due to its position as a transport hub.

Read: Ebola declared a public health emergency > 

Read: Nigeria’s largest city is struggling to find medical personnel to help fight Ebola > 

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

Close
25 Comments
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.
JournalTv
News in 60 seconds