Ebola continues to wreak havoc across the world as a new strain of the deadly virus continues to spread in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda with warnings issued
A holiday destination popular with Brits has introduced pandemic-era health restrictions as Ebola continues to spread. The World Health Organisation (WHO) has recorded 220 deaths and 900 suspected cases in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) linked to the Bundibugyo (BVD) strain of the dealy virus.
There have also been five cases and one death confirmed in neighbouring Uganda. The United Nations health agency raised its risk assessment from high to very high in the DRC last week as they listed the global risk as low.
Several countries have introduced travel bans and border measures in an effort to contain the spread of Ebola. Thailand was the first to introduce a mandatory three-week quarantine for travellers from the DRC and Uganda.
So far, 11 people have been quarantined after arriving in Phuket. Governor of the region Nirat Pongsitthavorn announced the news during a meeting, saying the province’s large number of flights to the DRC and Uganda mean they must remain vigilant.
All 11 passengers were placed on 21-day health monitoring in line with the country’s pubic health protocols, the governor added. None of the quarantined travellers are displaying Ebola symptoms.
Meanwhile, Canada and the Bahamas said they would temporarily ban residents of the DRC, Uganda and South Sudan from entering.
It comes as screening for Ebola at a major US airport has begun. The US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) initiated screening procedures for some travellers at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport on Wednesday, May 20, as health officials tackle the outbreak.
This move follows closely on the heels of the CDC’s announcement that any US passport holder who has travelled to the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda or South Sudan within the last three weeks will be denied entry into the country. The ban is set to remain in place for a minimum of 30 days, as per an order issued by the CDC on Monday.
Ebola is an extremely contagious disease spread through contact with bodily fluids. It often results in fatal haemorrhagic fever, swift multi-organ failure and internal or external bleeding.
“Ebola is one of the most infectious diseases out there. I’m not an alarmist, but I’m very concerned,” said Dr Tyler Evans, CEO of Wellness Equity Alliance, reports the Mirror.
Cases of Ebola continue to proliferate across parts of East and Central Africa, leading the World Health Organization to declare the outbreak a public health emergency of international concern.
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