MINISTER of Health, Dr Fenton Ferguson last Thursday advised Jamaicans against non-essential travel to Ebola-affected countries. Dr Ferguson was speaking during a press briefing at the ministry’s head office at which time he provided an update on the health ministry’s Ebola Preparedness and Response Strategy.

“I would like to caution persons against non-essential travel to the affected areas and to remind you of the importance of personal responsibility for health,” said Dr Ferguson. “The Ministry of Health has been keeping abreast of developments with respect to the Ebola situation in West Africa through the reports issued by the World Health Organisation. I would like to stress that Jamaica does not at this time fall into the category of high-risk countries for transmission of the virus.”

He said surveillance at the country’s points of entry is already in place and training and sensitisation of our health workers will continue as part of measures to increase vigilance and preparedness for this disease.

SYMPTOMS

Symptoms of Ebola 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. The incubation period for the virus is anywhere from two to 21 days. However, people do not become infectious until they begin to show symptoms.

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, for example, through broken skin, 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.