PORT OF SPAIN – The Trinidad and Tobago government Wednesday urged citizens against travelling to African countries amid heightened global concern regarding the spread of the deadly Ebola virus.
”The government of Trinidad and Tobago maintains a policy of vigilance without disruption. However, in light of recent global health developments, immediate action is necessary to protect our population and to prevent potential complications regarding future quarantine or repatriation efforts,” Health Minister Dr. Lackram Bodoe said in a statement to Parliament.
“The Ministry, therefore, strongly advises all nationals of Trinidad and Tobago to avoid all travel to the following countries due to an active outbreak of the Ebola-Bondibugio virus disease. The Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda, South Sudan,” he said.
Bodoe said that these countries are considered high-risk zones and that the World Health Organization (WHO) has officially declared this outbreak a public health emergency of international concern.
“Additionally, the Ministry advises citizens to exercise very high caution when travelling to the following nine countries, which have been identified by the African CDC to be high-risk for Ebola. These countries are as follows. Angola, Burundi, the Central African Republic, the Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Kenya, (1:56) Rwanda, Tanzania, and Zambia,” the Health Minister said.
Bodoe said that in order to safeguard the public health of Trinidad and Tobago, strict border management measures have been implemented.
“Citizens and residents arriving in Trinidad and Tobago who have visited or transited through the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda, or South Sudan will be subject to enhanced health screening upon arrival.
“Furthermore, these individuals will be subject to Mandatory 21, the active monitoring protocols. Depending on the results of the initial health screening, travellers may also be subject to immediate isolation or quarantine measures as directed by Port Health authorities.”
He said that Trinidad and Tobago nationals should “consider cancelling or postponing travel, re-evaluate all upcoming travel plans to the affected regions, stay informed and monitor updates from the Ministry of Health and the WHO”.
He said that they should also seek medical attention if they are currently in an affected region or have recently returned and develop symptoms such as sudden onset of fever, intense weakness, muscle pain, headache, or sore throat.
“Seek medical attention immediately and isolate yourself from others,”Bodoe said, adding that the Ministry of Health remains committed to the safety and security of all nationals at home and abroad.
Ebola virus is a rare, severe, and often fatal disease in humans and nonhuman primates caused by viruses in the Orthoebolavirus genus. It triggers a viral hemorrhagic fever that damages organ systems and interferes with the body’s ability to clot blood, frequently leading to fatal internal and external bleeding.
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