Ebola Surveillance May Cause Airport Delays – Health Minister

As the Government continues its preparations to deal with the possibility of Ebola in Jamaica, the Ministry of Health is advising that persons leaving and entering the island during the Christmas period may encounter some delays due to surveillance procedures at the airports.

“I want Jamaicans to understand that they may have to endure some inconveniences as we put protocols in place to strengthen our borders and surveillance mechanism,” said portfolio Minister, Hon Dr. Fenton Ferguson.

The Health Minister, who was speaking at the official re-opening of the May Pen Hospital’s Accident and Emergency Unit on Friday (November 21), appealed for understanding and cooperation as the necessary measures are carried out.

“The Christmas period is coming and will result in increased travel to Jamaica, from all over the world…I appeal to persons to bear with us as we have to put necessary measures in place at the airports to screen, and in some cases, quarantine and follow-up persons, who come in and who may have traveled to any Ebola-affected area,” he said.

In recent weeks, the Government has increased its public education activities to sensitize the nation on the effects of the deadly Ebola virus, while also providing operators of funeral homes with policy guidelines on how to deal with persons, who die from such infectious diseases.

Dr. Ferguson noted that other measures to come will be “tough” but stated that “we have to do what we need to do to protect the health of Jamaicans. We will require the cooperation of every citizen, and every sector. I appeal to everyone to support the Ministry and the Government, because all of us have to work together on this one.”

Ongoing preparations for the threat of Ebola include the earmarking of quarantine and isolation areas for persons, who may become infected, so that the possibility of danger to the public can be minimised.

The Ministry of Health is leading the process of Ebola preparation, and is also working closely with other partners including the Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management (OPDEM), Jamaica Defence Force (JDF), Jamaica Fire Brigade (JFB) and the immigration and customs departments.