KINGSTON, Jamaica — Caribbean news. The Ministry of Health says it is strengthening its preparedness measures and will increase efforts to make Jamaicans become more vigilant about the Ebola virus currently plaguing West Africa. This follows a recent meeting led by Health Minister Dr Fenton Ferguson with health officials including Dr Marion Bullock DuCasse.
Dr DuCasse explained that while Jamaica does not at this time fall into the category of at risk countries, “we continue to ensure that our systems are strengthened so that we can have an effective response if the need arises. Our surveillance system has already been heightened, we will be sensitizing staff and undertaking training specific to the Ebola virus and continue with our monitoring of the situation.”
She said public education is also an important feature of the ministry’s strategy and stressed that there has been no change in the position of the ministry as it relates to facilitating interviews and providing information through the media about any health related matter.
“As part of our communication plan, we will continue to partner with the media through interviews and other methods of disseminating information so that the public is kept informed and understand their part of the responsibility to deal with these types of diseases,” she said.
Minister Fenton Ferguson. Photo courtesy http://www.jamaicaobserver.com
The Ebola virus is a severe, often fatal illness with a death rate of up to 90%.
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.
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. Article courtesy Jamaica Gleaner
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