4 ms·

DR Congo Ebola outbreak declared public health emergency

37 points by yasp 7y ago

singularity2001 7y ago
"The PHEIC emergency provision is the highest level of alarm the WHO can sound and has only been used four times previously." "the risk of the disease spreading outside the region was not high. there should be no restrictions on travel or trade" They should re-gauge their alarm levels.
- merpnderp 7y ago
  How do they couple "This area desperately needs help" in the same category with "Close your borders, close your windows, lock your doors, and stay away from people until this is over." Or is it that the issue in the Congo should trigger the exact same types of government alerts, since it could easily progress? That just because it hasn't spread around the world, is easily could if people let their guard down?
- nathannecro 7y ago
  From the article directly: Could the disease spread further? The WHO says the risk to neighbouring countries is "very high".
- blunte 7y ago
  Yeah, I don't get it either. If this is a really high alert, and spread risk is high, wouldn't that be exactly the time you would restrict travel?
deleted 7y ago
[deleted]
qljkk 7y ago
"Ebola outbreak..." [eyes wide open] "...in Congo" [turns page]
blunte 7y ago
Since they explain that some people don't seek treatment because distrust of foreigners (doctors) is high, why not teach/train local clinics to provide the services so foreign doctors can leave and patients can feel comfortable getting help?
- emiliobumachar 7y ago
  First thing that comes to mind is: training doctors and nurses is hard and takes very long. How much less than full health professionals can do more good than harm? And how long can we wait for their training?
  - blunte 7y ago
    Sure, it's not something you do when the problem arises - it's something (training) you do now and which pays off later. This is not the first Ebola outbreak, and knowing of the culture of foreign distrust is not a new surprise, so I think training and preparation should have been going on for years. Ultimately, wealthy countries need to provide education and support to help developing countries fulfill their own needs in the future. It's a never ending struggle to try to swoop in and solve a problem, then leave when the immediate need has been met.
- ralusek 7y ago
  I don't know about this, but can you confirm that it's primarily a distrust of foreigners, and not just a general distrust of "western" medicine?

37 points by yasp 7y ago

singularity2001 7y ago

"The PHEIC emergency provision is the highest level of alarm the WHO can sound and has only been used four times previously." "the risk of the disease spreading outside the region was not high. there should be no restrictions on travel or trade" They should re-gauge their alarm levels.

merpnderp 7y ago
How do they couple "This area desperately needs help" in the same category with "Close your borders, close your windows, lock your doors, and stay away from people until this is over." Or is it that the issue in the Congo should trigger the exact same types of government alerts, since it could easily progress? That just because it hasn't spread around the world, is easily could if people let their guard down?
nathannecro 7y ago
From the article directly: Could the disease spread further? The WHO says the risk to neighbouring countries is "very high".
blunte 7y ago
Yeah, I don't get it either. If this is a really high alert, and spread risk is high, wouldn't that be exactly the time you would restrict travel?

deleted 7y ago

[deleted]

qljkk 7y ago

"Ebola outbreak..." [eyes wide open] "...in Congo" [turns page]

blunte 7y ago

Since they explain that some people don't seek treatment because distrust of foreigners (doctors) is high, why not teach/train local clinics to provide the services so foreign doctors can leave and patients can feel comfortable getting help?

emiliobumachar 7y ago
First thing that comes to mind is: training doctors and nurses is hard and takes very long. How much less than full health professionals can do more good than harm? And how long can we wait for their training?
- blunte 7y ago
  Sure, it's not something you do when the problem arises - it's something (training) you do now and which pays off later. This is not the first Ebola outbreak, and knowing of the culture of foreign distrust is not a new surprise, so I think training and preparation should have been going on for years. Ultimately, wealthy countries need to provide education and support to help developing countries fulfill their own needs in the future. It's a never ending struggle to try to swoop in and solve a problem, then leave when the immediate need has been met.
ralusek 7y ago
I don't know about this, but can you confirm that it's primarily a distrust of foreigners, and not just a general distrust of "western" medicine?