BY LOH FOON FONG
PETALING JAYA: The Health Ministry’s healthcare providers at all levels have been equipped to handle any possible cases of Ebola virus disease entering the country.
Health director-general Datuk Seri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah said healthcare providers have been told to adhere to guidelines when managing suspected cases. This involves immediate reporting through identified channels.
“They must also carry out infection prevention and control measures at optimum level in all government health facilities, including providing an isolation ward in government hospitals,” he said in a statement on Thursday.
The Ebola outbreak in West Africa caused a worldwide stir after an infected American victim travelled on two flights.
The Mirror reported that those exposed to Patrick Sawyer, 40, could sparked a worldwide spread of the killer disease.
Sawyer had a stopover in Ghana and changed planes in Togo before flying to the international travel hub of Lagos in Nigeria. He died five days after arriving in the city.
Dr Noor Hisham said the Ministry has a laboratory that could test the Ebola virus in the Institute for Medical Research.
He said health personnel involved in containing the disease must ensure adequate stock of protective gear in every state.
“All health facilities are also reminded to carry out monitoring of all infectious diseases including Ebola and sending notifications to the National Crisis Preparedness and Response Centre (CPRC),” he said.
As of now, the World Health Organisation (WHO) had not issued any travel advisory or prevented any visits to the countries with the outbreak but those visiting countries in West Africa are required to practise a high level of hygiene such as washing hands frequently with water and soap or sanitisers.
They should also avoid those who are ill, including contact with the infected person’s liquid, sick or dead wild animals.
The Mirror reported that those exposed to Patrick Sawyer, 40, could sparked a worldwide spread of the killer disease.
Sawyer had a stopover in Ghana and changed planes in Togo before flying to the international travel hub of Lagos in Nigeria. He died five days after arriving in the city.
Dr Noor Hisham said the Ministry has a laboratory that could test the Ebola virus in the Institute for Medical Research.
He said health personnel involved in containing the disease must ensure adequate stock of protective gear in every state.
“All health facilities are also reminded to carry out monitoring of all infectious diseases including Ebola and sending notifications to the National Crisis Preparedness and Response Centre (CPRC),” he said.
As of now, the World Health Organisation (WHO) had not issued any travel advisory or prevented any visits to the countries with the outbreak but those visiting countries in West Africa are required to practise a high level of hygiene such as washing hands frequently with water and soap or sanitisers.
They should also avoid those who are ill, including contact with the infected person’s liquid, sick or dead wild animals.
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