PAHO urges Caribbean to prepare for Ebola

The Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) is urging the countries of the Americas to be vigilant and prepared for a potential introduction of the Ebola virus in the Region.

The recommendation comes following a statement by WHO Director-General Margaret Chan that the outbreak in West Africa constitutes a “public health emergency of international concern” (PHEIC). The current Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) outbreak began in Guinea in December 2013. This outbreak now involves transmission in Guinea, Liberia, Nigeria, and Sierra Leone. As of 6 August 2014, countries have reported 1,779 cases, including 961 deaths. This is currently the largest EVD outbreak ever recorded.

The PHEIC determination was made by Chan based on recommendations from WHO’s International Health Regulations (IHR) Emergency Committee, which suggested temporary measures to reduce the international spread of the virus for three different groups of WHO Member States: those with Ebola transmission; those with a potential or confirmed Ebola case, and unaffected States with land borders with affected countries; and all States.

Within this context, the following recommendations by the WHO IHR Emergency Committee apply to the countries of the Americas: there should be no general ban on international travel or trade; although the restrictions outlined in these recommendations regarding the travel of EVD cases and contacts should be implemented; WHO Member States should provide travelers to Ebola-affected and at-risk areas with relevant information on risks, measures to minimize those risks, and advice for managing a potential exposure; States should be prepared to detect, investigate, and manage Ebola cases; this should include assured access to a qualified diagnostic laboratory for EVD and, where appropriate, the capacity to manage travelers originating from known Ebola-infected areas who arrive at international airports or major land crossing points with unexplained febrile illness; the general public should be provided with accurate and relevant information on the Ebola outbreak and measures to reduce the risk of exposure and states should be prepared to facilitate the evacuation and repatriation of nationals (e.g. health workers) who have been exposed to Ebola.

“At this time, all actions in the Americas should be oriented toward preventing the establishment of local transmission before the introduction of a possible imported case,” noted Marcos Espinal, Director of PAHO/WHO’s Department of Communicable Diseases and Health Analysis.

Within this framework, national authorities of the countries of the Region should put into practice the capacities that have been developed as part of the IHR’s implementation.