EU states to step up Ebola screening in west Africa

During a meeting of the European Union's Health ministers on 16 October 2014, EU countries agreed to step up Ebola screening at airports in west Africa but not in Europe, despite a British appeal.

The UK earlier in the week had introduced its own checks at Heathrow airport and plans to extend them to Gatwick airport and to Eurostar trains in the following days.

France and the Czech Republic followed suit, but Belgium, which operates direct flights to the African region, had so far declined to do so.

The office of British Prime Minister David Cameron said on the same day he would call on EU states to take similar measures during the European summit later in the month.

ESO: Background information: Ebola Crisis: EU organises airlift operation to West Africa http://www.europeansources.info/record/press-release-ebola-crisis-eu-organises-airlift-operation-to-west-africa/

ESO: Background information: Scientists predict Ebola will hit Europe in coming weeks http://www.europeansources.info/record/scientists-predict-ebola-will-hit-europe-in-coming-weeks-spain-sets-up-ebola-crisis-committee/

Reuters, 13.10.14: Diplomats discuss EU military coordination against Ebola http://uk.reuters.com/article/2014/10/13/us-health-ebola-eu-idUKKCN0I225T20141013

EUObserver, 16.10.14: EU health chiefs to debate entry screening for Ebola http://euobserver.com/news/126099

ESO: Background information: Ebola http://www.europeansources.info/record/ebola/

The New York Times, 16.10.14: Europe Evaluates Ebola Measures as Possibility of New Cases Arises in France and Spain http://www.nytimes.com/2014/10/17/world/europe/europe-evaluates-ebola-measures-as-new-cases-are-suspected.html

BBC News, 17.10.14: Ebola crisis: David Cameron urges EU airport screening http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-29654823

Euronews, 16.10.14: Ebola crisis: EU pushes for improved screening in affected countries http://www.euronews.com/2014/10/16/ebola-crisis-eu-pushes-for-improved-screening-in-affected-countries/

Deutsche Welle, 16.10.14: EU health ministers want a coordinated effort on Ebola http://dw.de/p/1DWl3

UK: GOV.UK: Prime Minister's Office: Press Release, 18.10.14: Ebola virus: PM calls on European Council for action https://www.gov.uk/government/news/ebola-virus-pm-calls-on-european-council-for-action

EUObserver, 20.10.14: Belgium's main airport starts Ebola screening http://euobserver.com/news/126136

Netherlands: Government: News, 20.10.14: Government supports Cameron’s call for action http://www.government.nl/news/2014/10/18/government-supports-cameron-s-call-for-action.html

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