Hey there!
Welcome back!
I would like to talk today about something that I am really interested on, about Ebola, aviation, its global propagation and potential risks. Imagine the magnitude of the problem, how little by little it might be spreading, it represents an international threat. There are thusands of flights daily, connecting people and places, from airport to airport.
Ebola: fatcs and characteristics of the illness
But, why is it of international concern? what is Ebola? is it dangerous to fly?
To talk about it, I have opened a debate and interviewed two professionals related to both industries. In the one hand, from the airline’s point of view, we have, John Pile, pilot of B747, and in the other hand, Julia Lopez, nurse of the intensive care unit, both currently based in Tokyo, Japan.
Julia helped us to understand more about Ebola. She explains that it is a severe, often-fatal disease that affects humans and animals. It is an hemorrhagic fever caused by Ebola virus. It is very contagious and with a high rate of mortality, more than 85% people die and there is no specific cure or vaccine for it. It is first carried by animals like fruit bats, and it was later passed on to humans. It is a huge mortal disease which may kill people within days or weeks. It is acquired by contact with infected blood and bodily fluids. Among the sympthons we find fever, malfunctioning of organs, hemorrhagia and severe bleeding problems, most probably ending in death.
She states that it is not a new illness, Ebola was first discovered in Democratic Republic of Congo, Africa, in 1976. It has more than 3 different variants and it is present in countries as Nigeria, Liberia, Guinea, Sierra Leone, Sudan, Senegal or Cote de Ivore.
2014 Ebola outbreak in West Africa
But now, it is on more time in the spotlight, because there is an overbreak in West Africa, which have already left over 900 victims this year.
Also, recent newspapers and media have stated that, as cases and deaths rise, governments and the World Health Organization WHO have declared the problem as an international health emergency. At the moment there is no exact cure for the illness, but if there is anything that might get closer, it is called Zmapp. It is a remedy which is still being tested and is still in developing stages. This miraculous serum is a mix of several antibodies obtained from the serum of mice exposed to the virus, treated and cultivated tabacco plants, which has already shown its effectiveness in monkeys. Also two Canadian companies are working in two possible vaccines.
Ebola and aviation
But what about planes? On the other hand, we spoke with John to ask him how he thinks the virus affects civil aviation. As airplanes are a fast type of transport and they can connect places that are far, the risks and worries of this matter in aviation are huge. Both virus with airplans make a potential world threat, which make organisations look out for the security of the passengers and to fight against the problem. As a pilot point of view, there is a risk and fear, but he states that organizations and airline are taking action to avoid any spreading.
Also, as stated by IATA in its last press release, they are coordinating closely with WHO and ICAO with respect to potential implications for air connectivity. WHO’s current risk assessment for travel and transport is not recommending any travel restrictions or closure of borders at points of entry. Also, they state that the transmission of the virus only occurs when patients are displaying symptoms of the disease which are severe, and in these cases, it is unlikely that someone would feel well enough to travel. Awareness-raising activities are being conducted for travelers to and from the affected region. The air transport industry has dealt with several outbreaks diseases in recent years and Airlines follow guidance material developed by WHO, ICAO and IATA to act accordigly. IATA said it will continue to monitor developments closely in the outbreak.
Recently these days, many airports are starting to implement measurements for passengers, scanning and controlling passengers temperature. We must say that no major things has been done, the potential risk is high but it is save to travel amd the risk of contagion is low.
Regarding the lastest news about Ebola and aviation, we can find:
– Spanish priest Pajares died yesterday morning (12 agust 14) after being repatrieted to Spain last week. He was infected by the virus and he was among the only three people in the world, with another two americans, who got the virus antidote, the other two are still alive.
– EEUU will send 50 experts to west africa to fight against the outbreak.
– Airlines cancelling flights to some destinations, such Emirates Airline, which finishes flights to Conakry, Guinea, or British Airways, cancelling flights to Sierra Leone and Liberia.
– Airports and airlines take measurements and screen passengers, but nothing major has been done yet.
Well, lets see how it develops, but definetily, it is a global concern it is risky but is not the first outbreak in history. Hopefully we could be over this and medicines will be created and given to patients.
Until then, stay tuned and thank you for reading!
George
My Aviation Newspaper 
George, i would like to know which is contry position about this issue?
Thanks for the comment Jose. I would say that countries in west africa are increasing measurements to screen passengers and limitting some airlines to fly from outbreak countries. I think countries are waiting to see how things evolve, but they are definetily follow guidelines at the moment and waiting for more instructions. It is a matter, but i would say is still early and risks are relatively low. Thanks