Were travelling from Ebola-affected countries
The Ministry of Health has to date successfully quarantined eight travellers who visited Jamaica from countries with Ebola outbreaks, in keeping with the Ministry's protocols and the travel restrictions implemented by the Government of Jamaica.
Health Minister Dr Fenton Ferguson said these travellers were quarantined in order to safeguard the population and to minimise any possible risk of introduction of the Ebola virus into Jamaica. Seven persons were successfully monitored by senior Public Health Officers and have since been released from quarantine or have left the island prior to the end of the quarantine period. The eighth individual will remain in quarantine until today, with on-going twice-daily monitoring by the Public Health team for signs and symptoms of Ebola.
Outbreak
Acting Chief Medical Officer of Health, Dr Marion Bullock DuCasse, explained: "These travellers arrived in Jamaica within 21 days of leaving the countries where the outbreak of Ebola virus disease is taking place. This is the incubation period, or the time from the last possible exposure until signs and symptoms occur. All of the travellers remained well during the period of quarantine and monitoring and showed no signs and symptoms of Ebola. The Ebola virus is only spread when signs and symptoms appear".
While there is a travel restriction for visitors entering the country, Jamaican citizens have a right to return home and, as such, the travel restrictions do not apply.
Remains vigilant
Dr Ferguson is urging all Jamaicans to continue to cooperate with the health team as the Ministry remains vigilant and systems are strengthened to prevent and control any possible introduction of the Ebola virus into the island.
Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone are countries in West Africa that continue to implement measures to curtail the current outbreak of Ebola. The World Health Organisation advised up to Wednesday, 21, 296 cases of Ebola, and 8,429 deaths have been reported.
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