Federal Minister of Health, Nina Warken (CDU), stated that the danger of a global Ebola pandemic is considered “nearly eliminated”. Speaking on Sunday during the “Report from Berlin” by ARD-Hauptstadtstudio, she addressed the rapidly spreading Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo) and Uganda.
According to Warken, the World Health Organization’s (WHO) declaration of a global health emergency serves primarily to support local authorities. The WHO aims to use this step to facilitate communication with the population and coordinate containment measures. Contributing factors include an anticipated major event in the region expected to draw up to two million participants, as well as the circulation of an Ebola strain for which no vaccines or antiviral therapies currently exist.
Regarding Germany specifically, the Minister stated that there is no immediate need for action. “The risk for the German population is to be considered extremely low” Warken reported. Furthermore, neither of the affected countries has submitted any aid requests. However, she added that Germany could provide support if necessary, potentially through the Robert Koch Institute for tropical medicine.
In addition to the immediate crisis, Warken noted that efforts are underway in Geneva to improve international responses to disease outbreaks and accelerate vaccine development. These discussions also encompass regulations related to the WHO’s Pandemic Agreement.
