JAMAICA: Ebola surveillance to be heightened at ports of entry --Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller has instructed immediate the heightening of Ebola surveillance at Jamaica’s ports of entry be heightened immediately.

Tuesday, October 14, 2014 | 9:24 PM  

KINGSTON, Jamaica -- Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller has instructed immediate the heightening of Ebola surveillance at Jamaica’s ports of entry be heightened immediately.

Portia Simpson-Miller

Simpson Miller said part of this heightening involves an extension of the existing immigration form, to document information on countries which persons have visited or will intend to visit, and whether or not they experience symptoms similar to those characterizing Ebola, on arrival in the island.

The Prime Minister was speaking Tuesday (October 14) at a special meeting at Jamaica House, where she updated Parliamentarians on the country’s Ebola emergency preparedness and response mechanisms.

“Jamaicans are being encouraged to take action as part of our personal responsibility in this situation. Avoid travelling to Ebola affected countries, and truthfully declare your travel history, when arriving and departing the island,” she urged.

Ebola Virus

Meanwhile Simpson Miller said she is hoping that Ebola detection equipment being sourced by the administration for placement at the ports of entry, will arrive in the island shortly.

“We are hoping (that) very soon…we will receive the machines that can detect if someone would be coming off a flight with fever,” she said.

The Prime Minister noted that at least one stakeholder has committed to providing some of these machines.  “I know there are others that the Ministry of Health has ordered and (which) will come in shortly,” she said. more