Azernews.Az

By Bloomberg

France ruled out quarantines for health workers returning from Ebola-hit countries, saying it was not necessary.

"Quarantines aren't justified for people returning from an Ebola-hit country and who aren't showing symptoms," the Paris- based Health Ministry said in an e-mailed response to questions.

U.S. President Barack Obama has said quarantines may undermine efforts to fight the deadly disease. Policy makers around the world are taking steps to prevent a spread of the epidemic, which has infected almost 10,000 victims, killing about half of them. The use of quarantines is raising concern volunteers may be discouraged from going to the aid of countries that desperately need help at a time when only three cases of contagion are known to have taken place outside Africa.

People returning from Ebola-hit countries, including health workers who've treated infected patients, aren't necessarily ill or likely to carry the disease, given that contagion requires direct contact with the bodily fluids of a victim showing symptoms, the French Health Ministry said.

By contrast, U.S. authorities have recommended home quarantines for people who've had direct exposure to the virus. The states of New York and New Jersey extended the measure to all health workers who have had contact with Ebola patients.

Travelers from Ebola-hit countries are tracked in France and asked to take their temperature daily for 21 days. Those who've treated Ebola patients are asked to do it twice a day and remain in daily contact with health authorities. Anyone whose temperature breaches 38 degrees Celsius is asked to isolate themselves and call emergency services, the ministry said.