MANILA, Philippines - With its bustling trade, travel hubs
and armies of migrant workers, East Asia faces the risk of exposure to Ebola
but is improving its defenses and may be more ready than other regions to
respond if cases are diagnosed, according to World Health Organization
officials.
Shin Young-soo, WHO regional director for the Western
Pacific, told a news conference in Manila last Friday that East Asia has been a
“hotspot” for emerging diseases in the past and has dealt with SARS and avian
flu, so it is more prepared than other regions to respond after learning the
importance of public education, strong surveillance and transparency.
“All these travel,
economic trade, and we have global hubs like Singapore, Hong Kong and the
Philippines is sending a lot of work forces all over the world,” make it a
possibility for the virus to reach East Asia, Shin said.
But “we are in a better shape than other regions,” he added.
The Philippines has some 8,000 workers in Ebola-affected
countries in West Africa and 115 peacekeepers in Liberia.
Death toll passes 4,000
The death toll from Ebola has passed 4,000, while a Madrid
nurse was fighting for her life yesterday as authorities worldwide tried to
prevent panic over the deadly disease.
The WHO said 4,033 people have died from Ebola as of Oct. 8
out of a total of 8,399 registered cases in seven countries. The sharp rise in
deaths came as the UN said aid pledges to fight the outbreak have fallen well
short of the $1 billion (800 million euros) needed.
Authorities warned that hoaxes could trigger panic as a man
was taken off a US flight by a bio-hazard team after he sneezed and reportedly
said: “I have Ebola. You are all screwed.”
Source: www.philstar.com
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