More CARICOM action against Ebola

As a follow up to earlier actions, Member States of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) continue to be proactive in the fight against the Ebola virus. In addition to boosting their national health systems in the event that the virus hits the Region, many of them have placed restrictions on travel to West African countries and entry into their countries from persons from Ebola-hit West African countries.  Please see some of the actions CARICOM Member States have taken so far to keep the virus at bay.

Guyana has procured and has begun distributing infrared thermometers to the various ports of entry across the country as another measure to protect citizens from the deadly Ebola virus.

Jamaica has indicated that quick response teams, comprising members of the Jamaica Defence Force (JDF), are to be formed as part of the Government’s response mechanism to protect the country from any threat of the deadly Ebola virus.

The Bahamas hast drafted a National Ebola Response Plan as a focused exercise between the Ministry of Health and the Pan American Health Organization.

The 1st Council of OECS Health Ministers which met on Thursday 16 October,2014, in Kingstown, St Vincent and the Grenadines, identified Chikungunya and Ebola as the most urgent public health priorities facing the Region at this time.