Myanmar has been ready for Ebola since August, health ministry says

 

It made the comments following false claims on social media that four people infected with the virus were in Myanmar. The false posts on Facebook named three foreign nationals and one Myanmar citizen as Ebola victims and called on the public to help locate them. The posts also named a hotel.

The social media reports were fabricated, health officials said.

The ministry said it is prepared for any cases in Myanmar, though none have been detected so far.

Any patient suspected of being infected with the virus will be transferred to hospitals in Mandalay, Nay Pyi Taw or Yangon that are best equipped for treating infectious diseases.

Health workers nationwide are also handing out pamphlets explaining the disease and the virus to the public, following irresponsible and inaccurate reporting by media.

Health checks are being conducted on people arriving at airports and jetties from countries where Ebola outbreaks are occurring.

According to the World Health Organisation about 9,000 people have been infected by the virus and more than 4,500 died, as of October 17. Almost all cases have occurred in impoverished West African nations that lack basic healthcare facilities and services and have shortages of protective clothing – such as gloves, goggles and facemasks – for the very limited number of doctors and nurses available to treat Ebola patients.