Is the Ebola virus dangerous for Uzbekistan?

The risk of the Ebola virus, which is spreading in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, reaching Uzbekistan is low. The Sanitary-Epidemiological Welfare and Public Health Committee reported this.

Ebola virus disease is a serious illness that is most frequently recorded in Africa. The virus can be transmitted through the blood, feces, urine, sweat, saliva and other bodily fluids of infected animals. There is no specific treatment for Ebola virus disease, and infected patients are treated with symptomatic therapy. This year, 263 confirmed Ebola cases have been recorded in Africa. The Democratic Republic of the Congo is considered the epicentre of the outbreak.

The World Health Organization assesses the likelihood of Ebola causing a global pandemic as low. The risk of the disease spreading in Uzbekistan is also considered low.

“To prevent the disease from entering the country, specialists of the Sanitary-Epidemiological Welfare and Public Health Committee are conducting medical monitoring of citizens entering through state borders. The epidemiological situation in the country remains stable,” the statement said.

Citizens are also urged not to travel to countries and regions where the Ebola virus is actively spreading.

Ebola virus disease is transmitted through direct contact with the bodily fluids of an infected person or animal. Therefore, citizens are advised to follow these recommendations:

• Avoid contact with wild animals. Do not visit places inhabited by primates, including monkeys and chimpanzees, or bats.
• Avoid exotic foods. Do not eat wild animal meat or raw food.
• Keep a safe distance from sick people, especially those showing symptoms of respiratory illness, fever, rash or bleeding.
• Wash hands as often as possible with soap or use disinfectant.
• Drink only bottled or boiled water.
• Monitor your health carefully for 21 days after returning from an endemic area, as this is the standard incubation period.
• If fever, weakness, vomiting or diarrhea appear, seek medical help immediately.
• Those who have recently travelled to areas with an epidemic risk are also asked to inform their doctor.

Earlier, it was reported that the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations would allocate nearly $60 million to several research groups, including Moderna, to develop a vaccine against the Bundibugyo strain of the Ebola virus.