Geneva-based aid workers with Ebola can get Swiss care

Geneva's University Hospital has extensive experience dealing with infectious diseases Keystone

Preparations have been made for World Health Organization employees based in Geneva who become infected with the Ebola virus to be cared for in Switzerland.

Dr. Olivier Hagon, medical director at the Swiss Humanitarian Aid Unit, told the Le Matin newspaper that procedures have been put in place to accommodate any Geneva-based aid workers who may contract Ebola.

“The Federal Office of Public Health, in partnership with the Geneva University Hospital, has put procedures in place to accommodate people working at humanitarian organisations based in Geneva,” he said.

“Geneva University Hospital has a lot of experience [in this area],” added Hagon, who is also a doctor at the hospital. “We have been working on dealing with emerging viral illnesses for many years and we have once again optimised our procedures following our recent trip to West Africa.”

Hagon said he is “optimistic” that a vaccine will soon be developed to fight Ebola, adding that “in developed countries, the risk of an epidemic is close to zero”.