EU says Ebola risk remains ‘very low’ despite Africa outbreak concerns
The European Commission announced that the risk of Ebola infection in the EU remains “very low,” even for travelers to affected regions in Africa. The EU is closely coordinating with WHO and regional countries. The Health Security Committee met Wednesday to assess the situation. Nearly 600 suspected cases and 139 suspected deaths have been reported in the DRC and Uganda.
The European Commission assured on Wednesday that the risk of Ebola infection within the European Union remains “very low,” even for individuals traveling to affected areas in Africa. Speaking at the EU Commission’s midday press briefing in Brussels, spokesperson Eva Hrncirova said the EU is maintaining close surveillance and is prepared to respond rapidly if necessary. “At the moment, according to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), the risk of infection here in the European Union is very low, even for the people who travel to the region,” Hrncirova stated. She added that there is currently “no indication” that Europeans need to take measures beyond normal public health guidance.
Coordination and current figures
Hrncirova emphasized that diseases do not stop at borders, making coordination with WHO, regional countries, and other partners essential. The EU’s Health Security Committee met on Wednesday to assess the situation and discuss potential additional measures. According to the latest WHO figures as of May 20, there have been nearly 600 suspected Ebola cases, including 139 suspected deaths. Earlier Wednesday, WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus reported that 33 Ebola cases have been confirmed in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), and two cases were detected in travelers from the DRC in Kampala, Uganda.
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