The acting Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health, Dr. Kevin Harvey is urging travelers to and from Ebola affected countries to ensure that they’re aware of the signs and symptoms of the disease so they can take action to reduce any possible exposure.
Dr. Harvey says this is important so persons can minimize their risk of contracting the virus and then spreading it to others.
Dr. Kevin Harvey says travelers should not touch dead bodies and should restrict intimate contact with persons who may be infected.
He’s advising persons not to have contact with persons who themselves may have come into contact with infected persons.
In a statement today, Dr. Harvey implored persons to honestly disclose their travel history at air and sea ports.
The Ebola virus is a severe, often fatal illness with a death rate of up to 90-percent.
The World Health Organization says the death rate for the current outbreak is approximately 70-percent.
Ebola is transmitted through direct contact with blood and 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.
According to Dr. Harvey, if for any reason, an individual believes they may have been exposed to the virus, they should seek immediate medical treatment at a major hospital.
He says they should also reduce contact with other persons as much as possible.
Symptoms of Ebola include the 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 twenty one days.
For more information persons may contact the Emergency Operations Centre at the Health Ministry at 1-888-663-5683 or 1-888-ONE LOVE.
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