ILO lists Ebola virus as occupational disease

MANILA, Philippines - The International Labor Organization (ILO) has listed the Ebola virus as an occupational disease that may allow workers who acquired the infection at work to seek compensation.

The ILO said the virus and post-traumatic stress disorder, if contracted through occupational exposure, are considered occupational diseases.

“Workers who suffer from the Ebola virus disease and post-traumatic stress as a result of work activities have the right to compensation, rehabilitation and curative services,” the ILO said.

Yesterday, nurses in Ebola-affected Liberia reportedly went on strike due to the failure of management to provide them with adequate protective equipment.

According to the ILO, employers have the responsibility to ensure that all preventive and protective measures are taken to minimize the occupational risks of workers to the deadly infection.

If they do not wear adequate personal protection equipment and do not follow strictly preventive and control measures, the ILO said health care workers are at risk of infection when caring for patients infected with the Ebola virus.

The ILO said health care and other workers have the right to remove themselves from work situations that expose them to imminent and serious danger to their life or health.

Meanwhile, the Department of Health has been conducting workshops in public hospitals in Zamboanga City to prepare personnel to handle possible cases of the Ebola virus.

DOH-9 infectious disease unit chief Venus Fortuna said the department has designated three public hospitals in the city to handle Ebola virus cases.– With Roel Pareño