Can Central Asia Remain Ebola-Free?
While the World Health Organization reports over 14,000 cases of ebola virus worldwide, including over 5,000 deaths, Central Asian republics report that they are ebola-free. The region has implemented various precaution measures, but many medics fear that the virus can get into Central Asia.
Under Control
Amid public concerns about the possibility of virus penetration in the region, authorities in Central Asia claim to have the situation under control.
Tashkent-based National Academy of Sciences virologist Aleksei Potrebko, who is closely following the news about ebola in the region, says necessary steps have been taken.
"According to news reports, specific screening machines have been installed at main airports in Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. There is very little information about Turkmenistan as usual. Also in main cities airport and medical personnel have been trained in treating patients with ebola and isolating them from the rest of the people to prevent further virus penetration," he says.
Citizens are advised against visiting certain African countries, Potrebko says, adding that "At the moment we are more or less protected from ebola, but of course we will find out how real that protection is only after the virus gets into the country."
More Information Needed
Almaty Clinic Physician Didar Naribekova , who admits about 40 patients every day, says she gets questions about ebola daily.
"People ask what is the level of danger, how they can be protected. Some of them ask for a vaccine, which we don't have yet. I would say the population is in a panicking mood right now, and I understand their concerns. The thing is people need more information," she says.
Nazym Rymbayeva, a mother of two in Astana, says she is very concerned about the ebola virus.
"Astana is a hub for international transit, and we have lots of foreign visitors as well. I often look at them and think, could one of them carry the virus. I am especially concerned about my children's health," she says adding that she would feel safer if there was more basic prevention information available.
Ebola-free... So Far
The chairman of Kazakh Consumer Protection Committee of the Economics Ministry Aliakpar Matishev says it is possible that ebola virus will get to the region.
"Large groups of people migrate throughout the region for work, study, family and other purposes on a daily basis, and this gives us a reason to believe that ebola could possibly get into the region," he says.
Melita Vujnovic, World Health Organization representative in Kazakhstan, says the risk to get ebola virus for usual citizen is low. According to Vujnovic, Kazakhstan complies by all WHO recommendations and regulations, and therefore should be safe.
"In case if there is a suspected case, Kazakhstan has developed protocols for action of all services. These protocols have been recommended by the WHO," Vujnovic says.
But, according to Tajik Healthcare Ministry epidemiologist Holmakhmad Nazarov, just because there are no ebola cases in Central Asia now, doesn't mean there won't be any in a week, or a month.
"The US didn't have any cases, but then one citizen returns from an African country, and now they have a whole bunch of ebola cases. This could happen to any country," he says.
Bishkek-based epidemiology researcher Baktybek Zhuparov says that Central Asia still has a number of viruses that were eliminated across most countries.
"We still have polio, malaria and other virus outbreaks every now and then. The point is not denying that we have or might get a case or two with ebola or any other virus. The point is to make sure we provide enough information for the public and make necessary resources available," he adds.
http://www.silkroadreporters.com/2014/12/18/can-central-asia-remain-ebola-free/