The Ethiopian Airlines said on Thursday in Addis Ababa, that it had embarked on massive campaigns to create awareness against the transmission of the Ebola virus among its customers.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the virus had recorded more than 700 deaths in some 1,323 cases in the West African Countries of Guinea, Liberia and Serra Leone since its outbreak in February.
A Liberian national carrying the Ebola virus had recently died in Lagos, shortly after he arrived Nigeria.
The disease outbreak was first reported in the Republic of Guinea in February, and had so far recorded the highest death since it was first discovered in the Democratic Republic of Congo in 1986 with a record of 280 deaths in 318 cases.
The Ethiopian Airline, however said in a statement on Thursday, that even though the chances of being infected on-board was close to nil, the company had begun implementing extraordinary measures to ensure the maximum safety of both customers and staff.
Records of the World Health Organization (WHO), show that there are suspected 1,323 cases with 729 deaths reported as of 27 July.
However, the Airliner said “Front-line staff of the agency both on ground at airports and on board, are being continuously updated on information about the disease, its mode of transmission and how to keep safe.
“More specifically, staff have been sensitised and trained so that they can avoid coming in contact with body fluids while doing their work.
“Stringent and specific surveillance is being carried out regarding all flights from West Africa at Addis Ababa airport, “ the statement said.
It said that the safety and well-being of customers and staff would remain the Airlines priority even though this dreaded Ebola disease had not been declared an epidemic and no travel ban had been issued.
“Ethiopia has taken the lead in taking extraordinary precautions in connection with the outbreak of the disease in some parts of West Africa.
Ebola is transmitted through the contact of body fluids of an ailing person with an incubation period of one to 21 days when the effect of the virus begin to emerge on the infected person.
The airline said it would continue to monitor updates from the WHO and other international agencies on the disease, its spread and recommended safety measures.
“The airline will continue to closely monitor the situation and implement recommended measures with a view to ensuring that at all times, the safety of its customers and staff are guaranteed,“the statement added. (NAN)
