Thread by @WHO

LIVE from WHO HQ: Press Conference on the International Health Regulations Emergency Committee on #Ebola in #DRC pscp.tv/w/b_9U6TI2MTAy…

BREAKING NEWS: The IHR Emergency Committee recommended @DrTedros to declare the #Ebola outbreak in #DRC as a public health emergency of international concern: Chairperson Robert Steffen

The declaration of the Public Health Emergency of Intl Concern is not a reflection on the performance of the #Ebola response team in #DRC. It is a measure that recognizes the possible increased natl & regional risks & the need for intensified & coordinated action to manage them.

The International Health Regulations Emergency Committee on #Ebola in #DRC provided the following public health advice:

❗No country should close its borders or place any restrictions on travel and trade.

The International Health Regulations Emergency Committee on #Ebola in #DRC provided the following public health advice for neighbouring countries:

BREAKING NEWS: The #Ebola outbreak in #DRC constitutes a public health emergency of international concern, citing concerning geographical expansion of the virus: WHO Director-General, @DrTedros following the IHR Emergency Committee’s recommendation #alert

The International Health Regulations Emergency Committee on #Ebola in #DRC provided the following public health advice for affected countries:

The Emergency Committee emphasized the importance of continued support by WHO and other national and international partners in #DRC towards the effective implementation and monitoring of these recommendations to the #Ebola response.

"Although there is no evidence yet of local #Ebola transmission in either Goma, #DRC or #Uganda, these two events represent a concerning geographical expansion of the virus." - @DrTedros referring to the recent Ebola cases: the priest in Goma & the woman who went to Uganda

"Our risk assessment remains that the risk of #Ebola spread in #DRC and the region remains very high, and the risk of spread outside the region remains low" - @DrTedros

"WHO does not recommend any restrictions on travel or trade, which rather than stopping #Ebola, can actually hamper the fight. Such restrictions force people to use informal and unmonitored border crossings, increasing the potential for the spread of disease."- @DrTedros

“Travel or trade restrictions will serve no useful purpose – already there have been more than 75 million screenings for #Ebola at #DRC border crossings and other checkpoints.” - @DrTedros

“The government of #DRC is showing exceptional transparency in sharing information every single day.
They are doing everything it can. They need the support of the international community.
That includes its financial support.” - @DrTedros

"Now is the time for the international community to stand in solidarity with the people of #DRC, not to impose punitive and counter-productive restrictions that will only serve to isolate DRC." - @DrTedros on the #Ebola outbreak

The full statement of the IHR Emergency Committee on the #Ebola in #DRC
👉bit.ly/2JLKSmP

The full speech by @DrTedros on the conclusions and advice of the International Health Regulations Emergency Committee on #Ebola in #DRC
👉 bit.ly/2Ki2wBh

#Ebola outbreak in #DRC declared a Public Health Emergency of International Concern - press release 👉bit.ly/2O1tkZf