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Ebola threat to EU is ‘low’ but readiness needed

By WTOP Staff

MILAN (AP) — EU health ministers say the chance that the deadly Ebola virus might spread to Europe is “low” but that they must improve coordination and prevention measures just in case.

The ministers ended a two-day meeting in Milan on Tuesday amid concerns in Italy that the virus might spread here thanks to the thousands of Africans who arrive via smugglers’ boats every day.

In a statement, Italian Health Minister Beatrice Lorenzin said the ministers concluded that the threat was “low” but that “regardless, we must raise our level of preparation to improve our abilities in the fields of identification, transportation, diagnosis and cure of patients or suspected patients.”

Ministers called for improved public information campaigns and EU-wide coordination, including for possible evacuations of EU citizens from Africa.

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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