EU, WHO to inspect airport screening procedures in Ebola countries

The European Union (EU) and the World Health Organisation (WHO), on Thursday, said it would carry out an audit of Ebola airport screening procedures in affected African countries.

The EU Health Commissioner, Tonio Borg, said this after meeting with EU health ministers in Brussels, adding that they would also assess if they were being implemented correctly.

“There are conflicting reports as to whether this screening is effective or not.

“We are not saying it is not being done, but the problem is, are they being effective as expected?.

“The audit will be carried out in Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea, to check the screenings and reinforce them as necessary.’’

Other ideas raised at the ministers’ meeting include using visa information systems to know when at-risk travellers were arriving in Europe and setting up a database to know their whereabouts.