The Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) is urging the countries of the Americas to be vigilant and prepared for a potential introduction of the Ebola virus in the Region. The recommendation comes following a statement by WHO Director-General Margaret Chan that the outbreak in West Africa constitutes a “public health emergency of international concern” (PHEIC).
The current Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) outbreak began in Guinea in December 2013. This outbreak now involves transmission in Guinea, Liberia, Nigeria, and Sierra Leone. As of 6 August 2014, countries have reported 1,779 cases, including 961 deaths. This is currently the largest EVD outbreak ever recorded.
The PHEIC determination was made by Chan based on recommendations from WHO’s International Health Regulations (IHR) Emergency Committee, which suggested temporary measures to reduce the international spread of the virus for three different groups of WHO Member States:
• those with Ebola transmission;
• those with a potential or confirmed Ebola case, and unaffected States with land borders with affected countries; and
• all States.
Within this context, the following recommendations by the WHO IHR Emergency Committee apply to the countries of the Americas:
• There should be no general ban on international travel or trade; although the restrictions outlined in these recommendations regarding the travel of EVD cases and contacts should be implemented.
• WHO Member States should provide travelers to Ebola-affected and at-risk areas with relevant information on risks, measures to minimize those risks, and advice for managing a potential exposure.
• States should be prepared to detect, investigate, and manage Ebola cases; this should include assured access to a qualified diagnostic laboratory for EVD and, where appropriate, the capacity to manage travelers originating from known Ebola-infected areas who arrive at international airports or major land crossing points with unexplained febrile illness.
• The general public should be provided with accurate and relevant information on the Ebola outbreak and measures to reduce the risk of exposure.
• States should be prepared to facilitate the evacuation and repatriation of nationals (e.g. health workers) who have been exposed to Ebola.
“At this time, all actions in the Americas should be oriented toward preventing the establishment of local transmission before the introduction of a possible imported case,” noted Marcos Espinal, Director of PAHO/WHO’s Department of Communicable Diseases and Health Analysis.
Within this framework, national authorities of the countries of the Region should put into practice the capacities that have been developed as part of the IHR’s implementation. These include:
• detection of cases compatible with Ebola among travelers;
• isolation of Ebola-compatible or -confirmed cases in hospitals that have been designated and prepared for this purpose, following standard infection prevention and control precautions;
• identification and follow up on contacts of cases compatible with Ebola;
• raising awareness of the general population about the virus and communication of risk information to all stakeholders in society
In the Americas, the only laboratories that can assist national authorities by providing diagnosis confirmation are the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention of the United States (CDC) and the National Microbiology Laboratory of the Canadian Public Health Agency.
PAHO was founded in 1902 and is the oldest continuing international public health organization in the world. It works with its member countries to improve the health and quality of life of the people of the Americas. It also serves as the Regional Office for the Americas of the World Health Organization and the specialized health agency within the inter-American system.
