Abou Faour Announces Further Measures against Ebola

Health Minister Wael Abou Faour said Wednesday that flights arriving from countries where there is an Ebola outbreak would land in one terminal as he announced further measures to stop the virus from reaching Lebanon.

Following talks with the management of Rafik Hariri International Airport along with Public Works and Transport Minister Ghazi Zoaiter, Abou Faour said a specialized room has been established at the airport apron to isolate any suspected case.

Abou Faour also revealed that Lebanon had a shortage in protective gear, including gowns, and that the authorities were talking with World Health Organization officials to get the needed supplies.

He said an additional 12 nurses were joining the 15-member medical team placed on standby at the airport.

“We need a national campaign to raise awareness on the virus,” he added.

Zoaiter, in his turn, promised to take all measures to facilitate the health minister's plan to stop Ebola from reaching Lebanon.

Abou Faour said Monday that Lebanon is more vulnerable than some other Arab countries because of the large Lebanese diaspora in Africa. Thousands of Lebanese live in African nations including Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone — countries where the disease is spread.

People traveling to Lebanon from infected countries will have to fill out special forms and any incoming plane carrying someone displaying Ebola symptoms will have all passengers tested at the airport, Abu Faour added.

In addition, anyone suspected of carrying the virus will not be granted a visa at Lebanese embassies in infected countries.

The global head of the Red Cross, Elhadj As Sy, said Wednesday that the Ebola epidemic will take at least four months to contain even if all necessary steps are taken.

The deadliest-ever outbreak of the hemorrhagic fever has claimed more than 4,500 lives in West Africa, and experts warn the rate of infections could reach 10,000 a week by early December.

There is no licensed vaccine or cure for Ebola, which has also spread in several isolated cases among health workers in Spain and the United States.

G.K.

M.T.