Ebola situation 'complex, difficult': Spanish premier
Iran Press TV
Fri Oct 10, 2014 4:13PM GMT
Spain's Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy has described the Ebola situation in his country as "complex and difficult," amid criticism over the country's handling of a case of the deadly virus infection.
Rajoy made the remarks on Friday after a visit to the Carlos III hospital where Teresa Romero, a nurse which has been infected with the virus, is being treated.
The prime minister added that he was "absolutely convinced" that all necessary steps would be taken to tackle the deadly disease.
Also on Friday, Spain's Deputy Prime Minister Soraya Saenz de Santamaria announced that the Health Ministry and several other government departments, aided by scientific advisers, would form a 'special committee for the management of the Ebola disease in Spain.'
The developments come as Spain's health system has come under fire over safety failures after Romero was admitted to hospital and diagnosed with Ebola earlier this week.
The Madrid nurse was infected in the hospital as she cared for two elderly Spanish missionaries who later died from the virus. The missionaries were infected in West Africa and sent back to Spain in August and September.
The European Union is demanding explanations from Madrid on how the disease could spread inside a specialized disease unit.
Health workers' unions argue that training and equipment at the Carlos III hospital were insufficient.
In addition, a number of Spanish health workers at the hospital have resigned over fears of contracting Ebola.
Health workers have also staged protests, calling for Health Minister Ana Mato and other officials of Rajoy's ruling Popular Party to resign over their handling of Romero's case.
Ebola is a form of hemorrhagic fever whose symptoms are diarrhea, vomiting and bleeding.
The virus spreads through direct contact with infected blood, feces or sweat. It can be also contracted through sexual contact or the unprotected handling of contaminated corpses.
According to the World Health Organization, a total of 8,033 people have been infected with Ebola across five West African countries and the United States. Of those, about 3,870 have died.
CAH/HMV/SS
|
NEWSLETTER
|
| Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list |
|
|
|
