Israel warns against travel to Ebola-stricken countries
Foreign Ministry advises Israelis not to visit Liberia, Guinea, Sierra Leone for fear of bringing the virus home
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Israelis were advised Thursday to avoid visiting three West African countries over fears that the worst Ebola outbreak in history could spread into the Jewish state.
The Foreign Ministry published a warning urging Israelis to stay out of Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone, which have been at the center of the deadly outbreak that has claimed an estimated 932 lives.
A number of other countries have taken similar measures to try and stem the spread of the virus, which has no cure and carries a fatality rate of up to 90 percent, according to the World Health Organization.
The current outbreak started in March 2014, with more than 1,700 cases reported as of August 6, according to the WHO. The first cases of Ebola were discovered in 1976.
The numbers are the highest ever recorded and leaders of West African countries have stepped up efforts to address the increasingly concerning issue.
A $100 million Ebola Virus Disease Outbreak Response Plan was announced by the WHO Friday, with the cooperation of the US. The emergency response will include both action to assist those who are already infected and prevent further spread of the disease.
Recently, multiple individuals visiting countries where the disease exists have been infected.
An American doctor and American missionary were infected while in Sierre Leone and are currently being treated in an isolated ward in an Atlanta hospital.
On Wednesday a Saudi Arabian man who contracted the disease died in a Jeddah hospital. The same day, Spain sent a jet to bring an infected missionary back from Liberia for treatment.
The Times of Israel Community.