Phl ready to respond to Ebola threat – DOH

MANILA, Philippines - Despite the threat of Ebola virus disease (EVD), the Department of Health (DOH) assured the public yesterday that the government is ready and capable of preventing the ailment from spreading in the country.

Health Undersecretary Ted Herbosa gave the assurance after the World Health Organization (WHO) declared EVD as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern, and called on all governments to be prepared to detect, investigate and manage EVD cases.

According to Herbosa, the Philippine government has put in place a system that will guide health professionals on what to do in case an Ebola patient enters the country.

Under the system, health professionals will abide by strict quarantine rules to prevent spread of EVD.

The DOH earlier said that the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine has the capacity to conduct laboratory tests, make available negative pressure room facilities, and treat Ebola patients.

At this time, the DOH is closely monitoring all ports of entry and requiring arriving passengers to fill out health declaration checklists.

Returning Filipino workers from Ebola-affected countries are also required to undergo medical test and secure medical clearance from health authorities from their country of employment.

There are now 1,711 reported EVD cases in other countries, including 932 deaths in Guinea, Liberia, Sierra Leone and Nigeria, according to the WHO. 

Officials of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA), meanwhile, are seeking assistance from the DOH to conduct as soon as possible an EVD awareness campaign in the airport for personnel who directly interact with passengers.

“Let me underscore that the call is not meant to instigate fear or alarm the public or airport workers. The intention is to keep everyone informed about Ebola and how they can do their jobs every day without living in fear or anxiety,” Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) general manager Jose Angel Honrado said.

The MIAA did the same campaign during the outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome in 2002. Thermal scanners were procured and more health screeners were hired to strengthen NAIA’s control against SARS.  – With Rudy Santos