Ghana v Cranes: Soccer Fans asked to Avoid Handshakes Over Ebola Fears
Ghana is not taking the deadly Ebola virus lightly as football fans expected at the 43,000-seater capacity Baba Yara Stadium to watch the 2015 Afcon qualifier later today have been asked to avoid handshakes.
The Black Stars will host the Cranes at 7.30 (Ugandan time) in what is expected to be a thriller.
Dr. Kwaku Boateng, the medical officer in charge of the Stadium Clinic in Kumasi told local media that fans should be very alert and take care of themselves while at the Stadium.
The medical advice comes in the wake of an outbreak of cholera in several West African countries in what has been described as the worst outbreak of Ebola ever recorded in history.
According to the UN there are now more than 3, 500 confirmed cases of Ebola in Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone. The disease has so far killed more than 1, 500 people.
Dr. Boateng said the threat of the infection is real and that it is important for people to take precaution. The medical expert said that a team of medical personnel from the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital supported by the National Ambulance Service and Paramedics will be on hand to respond to emergencies during the match.
The development also comes moments after the United Nations sent what has been called “an international rescue” call to respond to the Ebola outbreak in West Africa.
The UN Secretary-General on Friday conferred with senior UN officials and experts to discuss the next steps in managing the disease and urged the international community to support the World Health Organization’s Roadmap and to provide $600 million for supplies in West Africa.
The Secretary-General said the international community needs better awareness and understanding about what it is facing. He urged airlines and shipping companies not to cancel flights and docking to the affected countries.
After these experiences, the Uganda FA needs to borrow a leaf from their counterparts in Ghana ahead of the mid-week game against Guinea to be played at the Mandela National Stadium, Namboole.
Via URN
