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Call to protect nurses from Ebola

The International Council of Nurses has repeated its plea to increase the protection of nurses working in Ebola zones
Ebola

The International Council of Nurses has repeated its call for safer working environments for nurses working in countries hit by the Ebola epidemic.

Figures by the World Health Organization (WHO) show that more than half of the 815 healthcare workers infected by the virus have been nurses and nursing assisants. Two thirds of all the healthcare workers who have contracted Ebola have died.

ICN chief executive officer David Benton said: 'Nurses are putting their lives at risk to care for others. The devastating nunbers of numbers of nurses who have lost their lives shows there is is clearly an esential need for significant strengthening of safety policies, and the provision of adequate protective equipment and appropriate training.'