Ebola virus disease monitored at entry and exit points

“Myanmar has imposed preventive health measures against the outbreaks of H5N1 influenza in 2003, of H7N9 bird flu in 2009 and of MARS virus. Since May, the medical staff have been monitoring the Ebola virus disease. The World Health Organisation has instructed the tourism industry following the spread of SARS respiratory disease. Regarding Ebola, the WHO said the preventive measures should be extended to boost the enforcement momentum in the tourism services. The Ministry of Health is now checking the arrival and departure points. Ebola virus disease had not spread to Myanmar,” said Dr Soe Lwin Nyein, deputy director general of the Disease Control Department.

The ministry has imposed health checks at airports and jetties, targeting those arrivals from countries plagued by Ebola outbreak. Health workers are under the instruction of screen and treat those suspected to be infected with disease and their family members.

The health announcement made it clear that those infected with Ebola virus should seek treatment at respective health care centres.

It also instructed health workers to carry out preventive measures against the spread of the disease.

“The Ebola virus disease has not spread to Myanmar yet. The viral infection is transmitted to people from wild animals. Myanmar people do not eat these animals. This is why the chance for Ebola outbreak is very minimal. If there is an outbreak, we have a plan to provide treatment for those infected under the emergency situation,” said Dr Kyaw Naing Oo, deputy director of the Livestock Breeding and Veterinary Department.