West Africa bloc MPs in Dakar to discuss eradication of Ebola

Members of parliament (MPs) from the Economic Community of West African States are holding a five-day meeting which began on Tuesday in the Senegalese capital of Dakar to discuss the eradication of the Ebola epidemic in the region, according to the organizers.

Participants said although the number of Ebola cases had reduced in the three affected member states including Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia, and had been wiped out in Nigeria, Mali and Senegal, alertness and prevention should continue.

"The first thing will be informing and sensitizing the population to adopt simple hygiene measures and behavioral change to halt the spreading of the virus," said Senegal's Minister for African Integration Khadim Diop.

He urged the MPs to push their respective governments and partners to make more effort in reinforcing health measures both at regional and national levels.

Senegalese MP Moustapha Cisse said participants will analyze the consequences of the disease and propose measures to complement those already taken by the international community and West African countries. Endi