Updated May 14, 2020, 12:13 p.m.
The emergency aid coordinator of the World Health Organization (WHO) is skeptical that the new coronavirus can still be eliminated after the rapid spread around the world. “This virus can become native to the population, it may never go away,” said Michael Ryan in Geneva on Wednesday evening.
HIV, the virus that triggers the immune deficiency disease, has never disappeared again. In the case of HIV, the world has managed to create medicines and preventive measures so that the virus has lost its horror. “I don’t want to compare the diseases, but we have to be realistic, said Ryan.
There is a small chance of eradicating the new Sars-CoV-2 virus, which can trigger the dangerous lung disease COVID-19. For this, a highly effective vaccine had to be found, it had to be manufactured to a sufficient extent and distributed all over the world, and people had to agree to be vaccinated. “Each of these steps is challenging,” said Ryan.
Corona virus can be brought under control
He criticized the widespread skepticism about vaccinations and the lack of funds for good health systems in many parts of the world. “We have very effective vaccines on this planet that we have not used effectively,” he said, referring to measles. The number of measles cases has been increasing again for several years.
With the right measures to detect infected people, isolate those who may be infected and treat them effectively, the virus can be brought under control, said WHO expert Maria van Kerkhove. Vaccines and medicines are being worked on at high pressure.
© dpa
Teaser picture: © picture alliance / ROBERT JAEGER
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