Are new Ebola travel restrictions necessary? Dr. Bogoch on what you need to know

[00:00:00]The federal government is implementing temporary new border measures to combat the spread of Ebola. Cases of Ebola and deaths caused by the disease are rising around the world. The Public Health Agency of Canada says it will deny entry to foreign nationals who have traveled to the Democratic Republic of Congo within the past 21 days. The measures went into effect today. They remain in effect until the end of August. Joining me now is infectious disease specialist Dr. Isaac Bogoch. Dr. Bogoch, good morning to you. So, the risk of Ebola to Canadians remains low. Are these measures necessary?

[00:00:35]>> It's not entirely clear what these measures add to the measures that existed before this. So, before this policy took place, people from anyone traveling from the impacted area to Canada, either Canadian citizens or foreign nationals, would have to quarantine for 21 days when they're in Canada. Now, foreign nationals uh just can't come to Canada uh for a period of 21 days if they've been in, for example, the Democratic Republic of Congo. They They still can come to Canada. They just have to spend 21 days outside of that country prior to coming to Canada. It's just not quite clear how that adds any additional protection to the existing policy.

[00:01:16]>> How challenging is this strain, and are we any closer to finding a treatment for it, doctor?

[00:01:23]>> Yeah, so the this strain, this is the Bundibugyo strain of Ebola virus, uh poses some challenges because we don't have yet a licensed vaccine or licensed therapeutics. Having said that, there is some tremendous research and development happening uh in in real time. And in fact, they've already started clinical trials for treatment, uh prophylaxis, and prevention.

[00:01:48]Prophylaxis means someone's exposed to the virus. Can you give them tablets right away to prevent them from getting infection? And of course, treatment and vaccines as well have now started clinical trials. So, I think this is going to be a very significant um component to getting this outbreak under control, but by no means is it the major component. The major component is still sound public health measures, community outreach, rapid identification of people, ensuring they get appropriate care in a facility where the virus is not going to be amplified, and reducing the risk of spread in the community. And that's going to be the weight-bearing pillar that gets us under control.

[00:02:24]>> And for anyone planning on traveling to that region from Canada, your advice would be what, doctor?

[00:02:30]>> Well, for starters, you have to be aware that even if you're Canadian and you're traveling to the region and you're coming back, you're going to have to quarantine for 21 days. And that's enough to prohibit a lot of travel. Uh The other thing, too, is remember, obviously, there's a there's a lot of cases out there. This is probably going to turn into the second largest Ebola virus outbreak on record. We're at about close to coming up to 3,000 cases. You know, it's a huge region. There's a lot of people there, and you know, this isn't rampant. It's still an issue.

[00:03:01]People should be aware of it if they're traveling to the area. Yes, of course, there's recommendations to not travel to the area, but I mean, if if people have to go back to see, you know, sick family members or deal with business, you can take appropriate precautions to not get this infection.

[00:03:15]>> Dr. Bogoch, thank you so much for being with us. Dr. Isaac Bogoch is an infectious disease specialist.