Zambia announces entry ban for people from countries with Ebola outbreak
Time Posted: August 8, 2014 9:16 pm
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 MINISTER of Health Dr. Joseph Kasonde
Government has banned entry into Zambia of all people coming from countries where the Ebola Virus has broken out.
Ebola has broken out in West Africa and countries affected by the outbreak are Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Guinea and Liberia.
Health Minister, Joseph Katema has since called for strict entry controls at all airports and all border posts.
Dr Kasonde has explained that government is focusing on preventive measures to ensure that Zambia is protected from all threats of the EBOLA virus.
The Health Minister told TV 2?s Penlope Sikazwe in an exclusive interview that Zambians must also take personal precautionary measures and ensure that the country is protected from the EBOLA virus.
Meanwhile, the World Health Organization -W.H.O- has declared the spread of Ebola in West Africa an international health emergency.
W.H.O officials said a coordinated international response was essential to stop and reverse the spread of the virus.
The announcement came after experts convened a two-day emergency meeting in Switzerland.
So far more than 930 people have died from Ebola in West Africa this year.
The United Nations health agency said the outbreak was an “extraordinary event”.
Further the Ministry of Health released the following statement to the media
REPUBLIC OF ZAMBIA
MINISTRY OF HEALTH
PRESS STATEMENT ON THE THREAT OF THE EBOLA OUTBREAK IN WEST AFRICAWest Africa has been gripped by an outbreak of Ebola which has shown signs of slowly spreading across the borders of Guinea, Liberia, Sierra-Leone and Nigeria to the rest of the region and beyond. Although there is no immediate threat of spread to Zambia of Ebola, considering the extent of the outbreak, and recognizing the ease with which people can travel between two points in the world, the Ministry of Health has heightened its alert status.
The World Health Organization has declared Ebola Virus disease a “Public Health Emergency of International Proportions”.
What is Ebola virus disease?Ebola virus disease (EVD) is a severe disease in humans caused by the Ebola virus. The virus is transmitted to people from wild animals and spreads in the human population through human-to-human transmission.
Once there is a case of Ebola, it is spreads in the community through human-to-human transmission, with infection resulting from direct contact (through broken skin or mucous membranes) with the blood, secretions, organs or other bodily fluids of infected people, and indirect contact with environments contaminated with such fluids. Burial ceremonies in which mourners have direct contact with the body of the deceased person can also play a role in the transmission of Ebola. Therefore avoid the following:
Contact with blood or bodily fluids of a person or corpse infected with the Ebola virus.
Contact with or handling of wild animals, alive or dead or their raw or undercooked meat.
Having sexual intercourse with a sick person or a person recovering from EVD for at least 7 weeks.
Having contact with any object, such as needles, that has been contaminated with blood or bodily fluids of infected subject.
Signs and symptomsEVD is characterized by the sudden onset of fever, intense weakness, muscle pain, headache and sore throat. This is followed by vomiting, diarrhoea, skin rash, poor kidney and liver function, and in some cases, both internal and external bleeding.
What has Ministry of Health done in Ebola threat preparedness?1. The National Epidemic preparedness committee has put Ebola top of its agenda and has reactivated the provincial and district rapid response teams
2. A national rapid response team has been constituted comprising all the key stakeholders involved and other line ministries. This a multi-sectoral committee
3. Care providers and Point of Entry authorities at all the major Points of Entry – Ground Crossings, Airports and marine Port(s) have been orientated on Ebola.
4. Site assessments have been carried out, and possible isolation facilities in case of a suspected Ebola case have been identified
5. Personal Protective equipment (PPE’s) for use by Health personnel has been procured.
6. Information Education and Communication (IEC) materials have been developed and awaiting printing to educate the general public and care providers on the dangers of Ebola and how to prevent it.
7. A national Ebola preparedness plan and budget to support the response has been prepared.
8. Zambia has Laboratory capacity to test and confirm for Ebola at University of Zambia School of Veterinary Medicine.
9. The Ministry has assigned ambulances to be stationed at all major Points of Entry namely All the the four main International Airports (Kenneth Kaunda, Harry Mwanga Nkumbula, Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe and Mfuwe) and Ground Crossings (Kasumba Lesa, Nakonde, Mpulungu Chirundu, Katma Mulilo, Victorial Falls, Kazungula and Mokambo). Other crossings will be managed as part of the routine surveillance.
The Ministry therefore has directed the following:1. All hospitals in the provinces are directed to hold regular clinical meetings on Ebola to raise more awareness among the care providers
2. Ensure 24 hour surveillance at all busy Points of Entry in the country with specific and dedicated health care providers assigned to man them. This involves screening travellers especially those from the affected areas. The Ministry will support this activity through procurement of thermal scanners for detection of febrile illnesses at the Points of Entry.
3. Ensure that the general public understands the nature of the disease, how it is transmitted, and how to prevent it from spreading further. The disease is transmitted by direct with body fluids of infected individual, animals or dead bodies.
4. The Ministry advises the general public NOT TO TOUCH any Ebola Virus Disease suspect or case or even person known to have died of the disease.
Travel advice1. Ensure all Zambians travelling from the Ebola affected areas will be thoroughly screened and quarantined if the risk is eminent upon return until further notice.
2. Ensure all delegates from any of the countries affected by Ebola Virus disease are restricted from entering Zambia until further notice
3. Ensure that all International events that may involve delegates from the affected countries are postponed, cancelled or such delegates excluded. The Ministry is advising against holding of all international events that lead to mass gatherings until further notice. This is because these mass gatherings escalates the spread of the disease and makes control difficult.
4. Ensure Zambians and residents intending to travel to the Ebola affected countries on duty or business are restricted to undertake such travels.
In case of any queries or report any suspected cases contact any of the following numbers:
+260966841062,
+260977421611,
+260962771859
+260955411988
Email: info@moh.gov.zm
HON DR JOSEPH KASONDE
MINISTER OF HEALTH |
