Belgium sends ICARUS partner B-FAST in fight against Ebola in Guinea

In December 2014, the Belgian Council of Ministers agreed on the deployment of the B-FAST mobile laboratory to Guinea to help fight the propagation of the Ebola epidemic. The Council Ministers authorized B-FAST, known for its expertise in the coordination of humanitarian aid, to facilitate the deployment of the mobile laboratory.

This mobile laboratory B-LIFE was developed by the Ministry of Defense, the Université Catholique de Louvain and the European Space Agency. It will be deployed in early 2015. The infrastructure is equipped with communication capabilities and will make it possible to analyze blood samples in the area closest to the epidemic. B-FAST, member of ICARUS project, will be responsible for the logistical support, together with a team from the Ministry of Defence and Ministry of the Interior. In the framework of the EU Civil Protection Mechanism (EU CPM), the European Commission is funding the transportation of the mobile unit to Nzerekore, Guinea. The expected duration of the operation is one month which might be extended after a screening assessment.

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http://deredactie.be/cm/vrtnieuws.english/News/1.2187319
http://diplomatie.belgium.be/en/Newsroom/news/press_releases/cooperation/2014/12/ni_051214_ebola.jsp?referer=tcm:312-260374-64