The European Union and the Economic Community of West African States have warned against closure of borders or isolation of countries affected by Ebola Virus Disease.
EU and ECOWAS said such action could be counter-productive.
Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea are most hit by the virus that has killed over 2,000 people in the last six months.
Nigeria had also been hit by the virus that was imported into the country by a Liberian-American, Patrick Sawyer. Seven people had been killed by Ebola in the country.
The appeal was made at the 10th Edition of the ECOWAS/Development Partners Annual Coordination Meeting held in Abuja.
Officials from both regional bodies and other institutions are meeting for days to discuss the virus, terrorism and other issues.
The EU Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Michel Arrion, in his remark explained that closing borders against Ebola ravaged countries was not the solution to containing the spread of the virus.
“There is the need to isolate the virus, but there is no need to isolate the countries,” he stated.
Arrion said that if the sub-region’s ability fails, the whole West African countries may face an extremely dangerous threat to public health and security with the scourge of the disease.
The ECOWAS Commission’s President, Kadre Desire Ouedraogo, while speaking with journalists, said although it is important that borders are not closed, member states must be very conscious in terms of surveillance.
“I want to appeal to all ECOWAS member states not to close their borders, not to isolate the affected countries because this will be counter-productive. We should cultivate the spirit of solidarity,” Ouedraogo said.
