DOH to hold Ebola summit on Thursday

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Health (DOH) is set to hold an Ebola Summit on Thursday to strengthen the country’s efforts to combat the deadly virus, which afflicted over 7,000 people in West Africa.

Health Secretary Enrique Ona said there has been growing concern over the Ebola virus so the DOH has decided to gather concerned private organizations and government agencies through a summit.

“Medical societies, departments and other stakeholders are asking about Ebola. Although we already have a briefer about Ebola, we think there are still many people who are lacking information about this disease,” Ona added.

Through the summit, the DOH hopes to solicit the support of participants to help the government keep the Philippines free from the virus.

Ona said that with the huge volume of Filipino migrant workers all over the world and other international travelers coming in and out of the Philippines, the DOH deems it necessary to keep the people knowledgeable on how the disease can be prevented.

As of Oct. 3, the World Health Organization has recorded 7,470 Ebola cases, including 3,431 deaths, in West Africa.

Liberia accounted for 3,834 cases, including 2,069 deaths; Guinea has 1,199 cases, including 739 deaths; and Sierra Leone has 2,437 cases, including 623 deaths.