The US has asked Spain for the usage of two military bases in its south as ‘stopover points’ in the 3,000-strong American mission to control the Ebola outbreak sweeping through West Africa.
If the request is successful, the US would begin utilizing its
bases of Morón de la Frontera and Rota in Andalusia. The US wants
its aircrafts which are returning from high Ebola-risk countries
such as Sierra Leone, Guinea and Liberia to be able to stop over.
Spanish military health officials are negotiating “strict
protocols” with the Pentagon, reported El Pais on Wednesday.
The virus has already killed 4,447 people worldwide, with the
majority of the deaths occurring in Liberia.
There have been 8,914 cases overall, and the WHO has stated that
it expects the number to pass 9,000 by the end of the week and
could soon reach 10,000.
While assurances have been given that the usage of the bases will
not in any way contribute to the spread of the disease, according
to El Pais sources, Spain remains apprehensive about the
possibility of more cases on its territory.
A Spanish nurse who had been treating a missionary who returned
from West Africa in September was found to have contracted the
disease at the beginning of October.
While she is currently in a stable condition, some 100 people who
passed into contact with her are being subjected to monitoring
over fears that she may have infected others around her while she
was still a contamination risk.
Washington has subsequently issued guarantees that no medical
personnel who have come into direct contact with Ebola patients
will be traveling on the planes which pass through the air bases.
Anyone who is suspected to pose a contamination risk will be
banned.
Stopovers will be used primarily for refueling and staff
travelling on the planes will not leave the bases
A further 100 US troops were reported to have arrived in Liberia
to help fight the Ebola epidemic, reported NBC on Tuesday. The
number of US troops stationed in the region now stands at 565 and
there are three mobile labs for testing and treatment currently
stationed in West Africa.
Part of the 950-strong US contingent at Morón are among those
helping with the mission in the region.
While the US usage of its bases is part of an existing bilateral
agreement, Madrid has the right to authorize flights and
stopovers on an individual basis; the UN requested the usage of a
Spanish airport as a stopover point for aircrafts transporting
both medical personnel and equipment to West Africa in early
September. However, Spain is yet to provide a response on the
matter.