The useless European agenda for Ebola

EU ministers are discussing several measures to face the threats posed by the virus, but nobody thinks to develop a cure

by Emanuele Bonini (my article for EuNews)

Compare it to the classical dust hidden under the carpet, define it as the typical “every man for himself”, understand it as a “do it by yourself” message, or call it simply Western hypcrosy. In any case the answer the European Union has in mind to address the Ebola crisis can't find comparison different fromt those just proposed. Visa check, exchange of information on air passengers travelling to and from one of the African countries with Ebola virus, a better evacuation strategy, isolation policy for people considered at risk, communication campagn: these are the measures EU Health ministers are working for.

«I do believe we can win Ebola in Western Africa», stated Italian Health minister for Health, Beatrice Lorenzin, showing courage not only for a knowledge of the English language which demonstrates how poor is the Italian education system.

Lorenzin's is a brave declaration because it's known disease and epidemics are won by using cures, medicines, vaccines, product. What is needed are products still not existing, products pharmaceutical industry have not interest to work on. Neither Lorenzin nor the European commissioner for Health, Tonio Borg, talked about any European programme for research on Ebola virus. It has just been underlined the intention of creating a voluntary network for the exchange of best practices in pathology management, but it remains unclear who's going to participate and who not. Borg stressed Europe is working on «positive concrete measures». In case it is true, these measures are positive for who? Not for African people, that's for sure. What they need is other stuff. And the same measures would be positive for what? Certainly not for defeating Ebola. On the contrary, these measures will be useful only to avoid Ebola entering the Schengen area, traditionally an open space for goods and people but not for viruses. So reality is Europe just wants to preserve the European safety, it is the only thing Europe can or want do. Practically speaking, until cures will be sold to who can't buy developing cures for Ebola will remain inconvenient, and enterprises never work if there is no profit. Ebola is not economically profitable at this stage, here we have what Europe doesn't say. Of course at EU level high level group meetings are organized, with the aim to show there is concern and the will to do something. The only positive outcome of these kind of meetings are reassurances. «The risk of Ebola epidemics in Europe remain low», stressed both Lorenzin and Borg. So there's no problem.