Ebola Outbreak: WHO Declares International Emergency – What Malta Needs to Know

In the bustling market of Beni, in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), traders are now greeting each other with elbow bumps instead of handshakes. The reason? Fear of Ebola. This once-ordinary greeting has become a stark reminder of the deadly disease that has resurfaced in the heart of Africa, claiming over 80 lives and counting.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has declared the Ebola outbreak in the DRC an international health emergency. But what does this mean for Malta, an island nation over 5,000 miles away? Let’s look the facts, local angles, and practical information you need to know.

Ebola, a viral hemorrhagic fever, is one of the world’s most virulent diseases. It’s transmitted through direct contact with the blood, secretions, organs, or other bodily fluids of infected people or animals. Symptoms include fever, vomiting, diarrhea, muscle pain, and in some cases, internal and external bleeding.

Ebola has a fatality rate of up to 90% in affected populations. The current strain in the DRC, Ebola Zaire, has a case fatality rate of about 67%. But why is the WHO so concerned?

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Why the International Emergency?

The DRC outbreak is the second-worst in history, with over 2,000 cases and 1,400 deaths since August 2018. The WHO raised the alarm due to the disease’s spread to Goma, a city of nearly 2 million people on the Rwandan border, and the risk of further cross-border spread.

the DRC is grappling with multiple challenges, including armed conflict, political instability, and community resistance to health workers, which hamper containment efforts. The WHO’s emergency declaration is a call for global solidarity and support to stop the outbreak at its source.

Malta’s Superintendent of Public Health, Charmaine Gauci, has reassured the public that the risk of Ebola in Malta remains low. However, the Mater Dei Hospital in Msida is on high alert, with strict protocols in place to handle any suspected cases.

Dr. Gauci advises, “If you’ve traveled to the DRC or other affected areas and develop symptoms like fever, headache, muscle pain, or vomiting within three weeks of your return, seek immediate medical attention. Inform the doctor about your travel history before you arrive.”

Malta International Airport has also stepped up its screening measures. Passengers arriving from affected countries are screened for signs of illness and given information on Ebola symptoms and prevention.

Ebola is not airborne, so it’s not easily spread like the flu. It’s transmitted through direct contact with infected bodily fluids. Here’s how you can protect yourself and others:

• Wash your hands regularly with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
• Practice good hygiene, like not touching your face with unwashed hands.
• Avoid close contact with people who are sick, especially if they have symptoms like fever, vomiting, or diarrhea.
• If you’re caring for a sick person, wear protective clothing, including gloves, a gown, and a mask.

Malta’s Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Directorate is also raising awareness about Ebola, with posters and information campaigns in public places, including the Valletta Waterfront and Sliema’s Tower Road.

“We’re not panicking, but we’re not complacent either,” says Dr. Gauci. “We’re prepared, and we’re educating our community to be prepared too.”