Summary: 11 November 2014, Brussels - EU Ebola Coordinator Christos Stylianides and Commissioner for Health, Vytenis Andriukaitis will start their four-day visit to the countries most affected by the Ebola epidemic. This is a sign of the political commitment of the European Commission to help bring to an end the Ebola epidemic which has already claimed more than 5000 lives. Just ahead of the mission, today Commissioner Andriukaitis launched a new platform enabling the rapid exchange of information on the treatment and prevention of the Ebola virus disease.
The online platform 'Ebola Communication Platform for Clinicians' brings together the hospitals and physicians, recognised as reference centres for the treatment of Ebola patients, from across the European Union. The aim of this network is to support preparedness and response against Ebola by linking together expertise on treatment of Ebola patients between health care specialists. This will be of particular value in sharing experience in case persons suffering from Ebola are hospitalised in the European Union. The World Health Organization is associated with this platform which was developed by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control. The setting up of this network was endorsed by the Foreign Affairs Council on the 20th of October. Between 12 and 16 November, the Commissioner for Humanitarian aid and the Commissioner for Health will visit Sierra Leone, Liberia and Guinea. The purpose of the mission is to get first-hand assessment of the greatest needs, see how priorities need to be adjusted and determine how Europe can continue to deal with the Ebola challenge in a coordinated way.
In their meetings with national leaders, aid agencies, humanitarian workers and Ebola survivors, Commissioner Stylianides and Commissioner Andriukaitis are expected to reconfirm the EU's commitment to a strong, coordinated action in the fight against the deadly disease.
For further information on Ebola, please visit the European Commission's DG Health website. To learn more about the EU's response to the epidemic, check the website of DG ECHO.
Ref: EC14-286EN
EU source: European Commission
UN forum:
Date: 11/11/2014