Medical experts from 13 countries discuss Ebola

BANGKOK, December 14 (TNA) - Some 50 medical experts from member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) plus China, Japan and South Korea on Sunday gathered in Bangkok to jointly draft an effective policy to fight against the deadly Ebola disease in the region. Actions to be adopted from these 13 Asian countries will at least provide safety from Ebola to more than two billion of people living in the region. They will also voice support on an ongoing international responses to the disease outbreaks in West Africa as well as in affected countries during the two-day meeting being held at a Bangkok hotel. Dr. Suriya Wongkongkathep, deputy permanent secretary for Thailand’s Public Health Ministry, told journalists that the objectives of the meeting are follow-up and actions taken against Ebola in this region. Dr. Keiji Fukuda of the U.N. World Health Organisation will present the report on preparations made against the outbreak of Ebola in West Africa and in other affected countries. Another expert Dr. Tom Frieden, director of the U.S. Centre for Disease Control and Prevention, will inform the participants on measures to control the disease and vaccines used for battling it on Sunday. The joint agreement to be made by the medical experts from the 13 countries will be forwarded to public health ministers for consideration and approval on Monday. (TNA)