Canada takes necessary pre-cautions as Ebola inches closer to home

Oct 7, 2014 | International News, News

International Federation of Red Cross opened its first Ebola treatment in Sierra Leone in September 2014. Courtesy of IFRC Flickr

International Federation of Red Cross opened its first Ebola treatment in Sierra Leone in September 2014. Courtesy of IFRC Flickr

By Viktoria Sciacca

Nine Canadian banks are collaborating with the Red Cross to raise money for The West Ebola Fund to aid Ebola relief.

Donations are being accepted in light of the first confirmed case of Ebola outside West Africa. A Spanish nurse diagnosed with the virus and three people around her are under quarantine in Madrid.

Due to recent circumstances with a U.S. Ebola patient, global concerns are now rising as the virus inches closer to Canada.

Gregory Taylor, chief public health officer of The Public Health Agency of Canada, said in a statement that Canada is prepared to fight the virus and is administering “quarantine acts throughout all entry points of Canada.

“Canadian hospitals have infection control systems and procedures in place that are designed to limit the spread of infection and protect health care workers,” said Taylor.

The Public Health Agency of Canada has announced it has shipped 128,000 face shields to Sierra Leone on Monday.

Red Cross Canada is also taking the necessary steps to diminish the virus in both Africa and Canada.

According to the Red Cross website, the donations will provide medical assistance to those affected, raise awareness, send specialist workers to Africa, prevent further infection and provide psychosocial counseling.

Canadian Red Cross CEO Conrad Sauve said in a press release that Red Cross teams have been “responding to this health emergency since March, providing life-saving treatment and working throughout the region in effort to prevent transmission of the virus.”

The following banks are accepting financial donations:

  • BMO Financial Group
  • Canadian Western Bank
  • CIBC
  • HSBC Bank Canada
  • National Bank
  • RBC
  • Scotiabank
  • Tangerine Bank
  • TD Canada Trust

Tangerine will be matching donations up to $50,000 to Red Cross until Nov. 6.

If your bank is not listed, you can donate to Red Cross’ West Ebola Fund by calling 1-800-418-1111 or clicking here.