Health ministry strengthening its Ebola preparedness plan

The Ministry of Health has been strengthening its Ebola preparedness plan.

The Acting Chief Medical Officer, Dr Marion Bullock DuCasse, says in light of the report of a confirmed case of the Ebola virus in the United States, it is important that focus is placed on the points of entry at this time.

"We continue to ensure that our systems are strengthened especially in the area of surveillance, including at the points of entry, so that we can quickly detect and respond to any case that may come into the island. Meetings have been held with the management teams of the responsible authorities to ensure implementation of the required measures," Dr DuCasse said.

She added that, for months, steps have been taken to heighten surveillance and staff has already been sensitised and trained specifically with respect to Ebola. Public hospitals across the island have identified isolation areas and a facility has been refurbished specifically to accommodate isolation for Ebola.

Education efforts

"We are also working with the Pan American Health Organisation which is providing technical support and we will be increasing our public education efforts. The Ministry will continue to monitor the situation and keep the public updated," she said.

The Ebola virus is a severe, often fatal illness with a death rate of up to 90 per cent. It is transmitted through direct contact with blood, other bodily fluids or secretion such as stool, saliva, urine and semen of infected persons. Infection can also occur if broken skin comes in contact with environments that have become contaminated with an Ebola patient's infectious fluids, such as soiled clothing, bed linen or used needles.

Symptoms include sudden onset of fever, intense weakness, muscle pain, headache and sore throat. This may be followed by vomiting, diarrhoea, rash, impaired kidney and liver function and, in some cases, both internal and external bleeding.