Ebola battle 'scarier than war zone' says first Hong Kong nurse at centre of fight
Hong Kong nurse tells of four-week stint trying to help victims of epidemic in West Africa
The first Hongkonger to work in an Ebola treatment centre in West Africa has described the fight against the virus as more terrifying than his nursing stints in war zones.
"The atmosphere was really tense," said Chiu Cheuk-pong, 38, who returned from his four-week trip to Monrovia, the capital of Liberia, last month. "You know the invisible enemy is everywhere, but no one can see it. All one can do is be extra vigilant and follow all infection control measures strictly."
Chiu joined Medecins Sans Frontieres in 2013 and that same year was sent to Pakistan for nine months to work in an emergency unit on the Afghanistan border, the scene of violent clashes.
"In a war zone, at least you can see the gun wounds and injuries on patients," he said.
"But with Ebola, it is much scarier; you cannot see a virus."
Chiu was in charge of the triage station, admitting patients into the 250-bed Ebola treatment centre, one of eight centres managed by the humanitarian organisation in West Africa.