World Health Organization
Ebola
Finland
Alekya Vudathu
Forest Hills Eastern
The Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) attacks the immune and vascular systems. In severe conditions it can cause death in 6 to 16 days. This virus no spread airborne rather through direct contact with bodily fluids and infected surfaces. There is not a proven treatment available for EVD; however, a range of potential treatments including blood products, immune therapies and drug therapies are being evaluated. The most severe cases have occurred in countries of West Africa: DRC, Uganda, South Sudan, Guinea, and Sierra Leone. Previously the UN responded to the previous historical outbreaks with supportive care, rehydration through oral or intravenous fluids, and treatment of specific symptoms. The UN’s most recent aim at prevention was to maintain surveillance and support at-risk countries to develop preparedness plans. Recently, an experimental vaccine known as rVSV-ZEBOV-GP has been effective in protecting people from the Ebola virus however not curing it. Ebola is crucial to contain due to the health and economy of numerous countries who are at risk. If epidemic continues to spread it will lead to higher risks.
As a first world country, there have been no outbreaks of ebola in Finland. However Finland has been very resourceful and has helped ebola infected countries. The Finnish Red Cross aid workers have participated in the international aid operation from the very beginning. With funding from Disaster Relief, the Finnish Red Cross sent aid workers to strengthen preparedness in neighboring countries like Burundi and South Sudan. Currently, there are Finnish Red Cross aid workers specialising in communications and working in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). From April 2016, Finland also has been contributing money to WHO for funding the ebola outbreak. In the current Ebola epidemic, the Review Committee acknowledged the heroism shown by many frontline health care workers, who are often under the most difficult of circumstances, and in many cases, at the cost of their own lives.
Finland recommends that the United Nations minimize the about of ebola victims in the future by developing plans of awareness. If countries could provide help through funding and medical expertise, it would be beneficial. There’s a plan for the Ebola virus that should be implemented. Finland recommends that the UN enforce a plan that focuses on detection and rapid isolation of cases, intensification of rapid public health actions, and strengthening the community’s health system. If the UN could enforce this plan it may prevent future epidemics. By giving a quicker and compelling response about the situation at hand the amount of ebola occurrences may decrease. The UN needs to come together to stop this catastrophic disease. Finland has been immensely helpful to the countries in need; however, Finland strongly encourages the United Nations to take action and set forth a plan to not only prevent Ebola as they have been, but also to cure Ebola.
- Alekya Vudathu
