Flight Restrictions Coming Soon for Airlines to Prevent Deadly Ebola Spread

New flight restrictions are coming soon, aimed at containing the spread of the deadly Ebola virus after the hitchhiking of the virus across borders for the first time aboard a pan-African airline, the world aviation agency said on Tuesday.

International Civil Aviation Organization Secretary General Raymond Benjamin said, "Until now (the virus) had not impacted commercial aviation, but now we're affected."

Ebola Virus Disease | Ebola Hemorrhagic Fever: Cause Symptoms Diagnosis Treatment
Ebola is caused by a virus via direct contact with body fluids or infected blood. Scientists have identified five types of Ebola or Ebola hemorrhagic fever virus.

Earlier, Togo-based airline ASKY announced the suspension of flights to and from the capitals of Liberia and Sierra Leone, both hit by an outbreak of Ebola virus.

This followed the death of one of its passengers from the virus on Friday after the 40-year-old man had traveled from Liberia to Nigeria via the Togolese capital Lome.

"We will have to act quickly," Benjamin said. "We will consult with the WHO (World Health Organization) to see what types of measures should be put in place" to guard against spreading the disease.

'Invest in Health, Build a Safer Future': World Health Day
There is a need for greater co-operation between governments, corporate sector and citizens to ensure international preparedness and to provide a universal safety net to deal with global health issues

No date, however, has been set for an emergency meeting of both WHO and ICAO officials to discuss possible new protocols.

ASKY, which works in partnership with Ethiopian Airlines, serves 20 destinations in central and west Africa.

Deadly Ebola Virus Kills Chief Doctor at Sierra Leone Ebola Clinic
The deadly Ebola virus is killing more and more people with the doctor in charge of an Ebola treatment centre in Sierra Leone becoming the latest victim of the deadly virus.

Since March, there have been 1,201 cases of Ebola and 672 deaths in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Source-AFP

Liberia Steps Up Ebola Screening and Closes Borders
Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf revealed a number of steps to contain the outbreak, including stringent medical checks at airports and major trade routes have been put in place.