The Ministry of Health, Wellness and Social Services has issued a public health advisory urging Dominicans to avoid non-essential travel to countries where cases of Ebola Bundibugyo Virus Disease have been confirmed while announcing tighter health screening measures at the country’s ports of entry.
The advisory recommends against non-essential travel to the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda, where confirmed cases of the disease have been reported.
In the statement, the Ministry is also urging anyone considering travel to several other African countries identified by the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) as being at elevated risk for Ebola transmission to carefully assess whether their trips are necessary and to follow guidance from local health authorities, the World Health Organization (WHO), and Africa CDC.
As part of its preparedness efforts, the Ministry reports that it has introduced enhanced health surveillance at all ports of entry. Travellers arriving from or passing through affected countries may be subject to additional health screening, travel history reviews, and risk assessments.
Depending on their level of exposure, some travellers could be required to undergo public health monitoring, quarantine, or isolation for up to 21 days in line with national health protocols.
The advisory also encourages anyone returning from affected countries to monitor their health for 21 days. People who develop symptoms such as fever, severe weakness, muscle pain, headache, sore throat, vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, or unexplained bleeding or bruising are urged to immediately isolate themselves, avoid visiting healthcare facilities without first calling ahead, and contact public health officials by telephone for guidance.
The Ministry is also reminding the public to take general precautions, including practising good hand hygiene, avoiding contact with blood or bodily fluids, staying away from people displaying symptoms of Ebola, and avoiding contact with wild animals such as bats and non-human primates that may carry the virus.
According to the advisory, the Ministry continues to work closely with regional and international partners, including the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), the World Health Organization (WHO), and the Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA), to monitor the situation and strengthen Dominica’s preparedness.
While reassuring the public that the current risk of Ebola Bundibugyo Virus Disease reaching Dominica remains low, the Ministry said preparedness measures are being intensified out of an abundance of caution. It also encouraged the public to rely on official updates from the Ministry of Health and recognized international public health agencies for accurate information.
Read the full advisory at the link below:
