Namibia is now in an emergency preparedness with the Ministry of Health and Social Services (MoHSS) taking preventative measures to ensure that the Ebola virus does not cross any border post without their knowledge.
This follows reports that many people from Ebola-affected countries are fleeing to Southern Africa, placing the region in a predicament.
The Ebola virus, labelled the worst health crisis since Aids, has caused the deaths of more than 4 000 people thus far across all the infected countries in the world, with Liberia taking the hardest knock since the virus broke out.
“Our main concentration to prevent people with Ebola coming into Namibia is Hosea Kutako International Airport,” Dr Jack Vries, chairman of the National Health Emergency Management Committee and coordinator of Ebola in Namibia said.
Dr Vries further elaborated that special attention is being given to persons coming from Ebola-
affected countries, scrutinising them by making use of an infrared scanner for any Ebola-like symptoms during their stay in Namibia.
“The government ordered four more modernised scanners which are expected to be in Namibia by next week.
With these scanners the people leaving the planes will be scanned for fever,” Dr Vries explained. These scanners can scan up to 12 persons at once relieving staff of unnecessary extra work.
Protective clothing and more infrared scanners have been dispatched to all the entry points and border posts across Namibia, shifting thefocus now to all entry points into Namibia.
“Attention is being given to the Buitepos border post between Namibia and Botswana, as well as several entry points in the Kavango, in anticipation of an influx of people from Ebola-affected countries since many are moving southwards,” Dr Vries said.
During this process, they are also busy upgrading all the border posts to strengthen detection methods of the virus.
This follows reports that many people from Ebola-affected countries are fleeing to Southern Africa, placing the region in a predicament.
The Ebola virus, labelled the worst health crisis since Aids, has caused the deaths of more than 4 000 people thus far across all the infected countries in the world, with Liberia taking the hardest knock since the virus broke out.
“Our main concentration to prevent people with Ebola coming into Namibia is Hosea Kutako International Airport,” Dr Jack Vries, chairman of the National Health Emergency Management Committee and coordinator of Ebola in Namibia said.
Dr Vries further elaborated that special attention is being given to persons coming from Ebola-
affected countries, scrutinising them by making use of an infrared scanner for any Ebola-like symptoms during their stay in Namibia.
“The government ordered four more modernised scanners which are expected to be in Namibia by next week.
With these scanners the people leaving the planes will be scanned for fever,” Dr Vries explained. These scanners can scan up to 12 persons at once relieving staff of unnecessary extra work.
Protective clothing and more infrared scanners have been dispatched to all the entry points and border posts across Namibia, shifting thefocus now to all entry points into Namibia.
“Attention is being given to the Buitepos border post between Namibia and Botswana, as well as several entry points in the Kavango, in anticipation of an influx of people from Ebola-affected countries since many are moving southwards,” Dr Vries said.
During this process, they are also busy upgrading all the border posts to strengthen detection methods of the virus.
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