Galery

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The Greeks are divided in terms of how concerned they are about the Ebola virus. More than half of them say they are fairly intimidated by the prospect of one of their loved ones becoming exposed to the virus. At the same time, quite a few do not yet feel worried  – perhaps since the virus has not yet posed a serious hazard to Greece. Nevertheless, most argue that stronger measures should be taken to ward off the virus. Most of those polled gave assurances as to their trust in the Greek medical community and believed that the work done by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and WHO was robust.

Kapa Research was commissioned by the Centre for Control and Prevention of Disease to carry out a survey on 13 and 14 October. The poll covered 1,155 people from across the country. Here are its findings:

One out of every two interviewed (or 57.7%) said they were concerned as to whether he/she or a family member might be exposed to the virus. 4 out of 10 respondents were not concerned about exposure.

Nonetheless, 73.8% claimed they were concerned about a possible Ebola outbreak in Europe, with 71.2% being anxious this might happen in Greece.

7 out of every 10 Greeks (73.2%) retained their trust in Greek doctors and believed the national medical community was capable of averting an Ebola outbreak in Greece. A slim majority of respondents still trusted the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (54.8%) and WHO (54%). The Greeks appear split in terms of the credit they give to the national hospital system. 48.1% think they can rely on it, yet 51.2% find it unreliable. Only a small fraction (16.9%) say they can trust their local public health directorate, and even fewer (12.2%) put their trust in local authorities.

Despite predominantly showing trust in their public health system, 96.4% of Greek citizens insist on more vigorous measures to prevent eventual Ebola inroads into the country. In more specific terms:

• Most (96.1%) would like to see all illegal immigrants from afflicted countries examined;
• 95.8% want checks instituted for all passengers of flights from risky countries;
• 91.9% want checks for all illegal immigrants residing on Greek islands or in the Evros region.
• 79.7% insist on introducing checks for incomers at all national checkpoints regardless of which country they come from.
• 66.8% want a ban on flights both to and from outbreak countries.

It is worth noting that 96.4% of Greek respondents would like to see their country participating more actively in prevention measures against the spread of the virus in West African countries.

The Greeks – Ebola virus experts

Due to the influx of information about the symptoms and the ways of transmitting Ebola in the last couple of months, Greeks’ competence in the matter seems to have strengthened. 84.2% know that the virus can be transferred through contacts with bodily fluids (e.g. saliva, blood or sweat); 41.8% believe this can occur through sexual intercourse; and 37.9% – through infected needles. 37.1% say the disease can be transmitted through skin touch, and only 19.5% reply that it can be airborne – which is untrue. Respondents have given more than one answer.

As far as the symptoms are concerned, 79.9% of those interviewed replied that among them were: temperature above 38.6°, unexplained haemorrhages or bruises (54.5%), severe muscle pain (49.4%), strong headaches (44.2%) or weakness (42.9%).