Ebola Help for JAMAICA: PAHO, CARICOM Pledge Assistance To Help Jamaica With Preparedness and readiness to deal with an Ebola outbreak, should the deadly virus pose a threat to the country.....World Health Organization revealing that, so far, more than 6,574 persons have been affected, and more than 3,091 have died from it. The worst affected countries are Liberia, Guinea, Sierra Leone, Nigeria, Senegal, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Anastasia Cunningham, Health Coordinator Published: Friday | October 3, 2014 

The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and some CARICOM countries have committed to assist Jamaica in its preparedness and readiness to deal with an Ebola outbreak, should the deadly virus pose a threat to the country. This comes in light of the fact that the United States is now on high alert with its first confirmed Ebola case earlier this week and the tracing and isolation of persons the patient, Thomas Eric Duncan, is suspected to have come in contact with.

A pedestrian wears a surgical mask as he crosses the street
in front of Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital yesterday
 morning, in Dallas, where Thomas Eric Duncan, the
 Ebola patient who traveled from Liberia to
Dallas last week, is being treated. AP

Among the commitments is to provide personal protection equipment (PPE) and gear for health-care workers. Special gear include gloves, masks, gowns or full-body suits, high boots and eye or face shields.

"PAHO has confirmed support for the provision of PPEs from its warehouse in Panama. If the need arises in Jamaica, items can be made available within 24 hours of notification of a case," acting permanent secretary in the Ministry of Health, Dr Kevin Harvey, said in a statement yesterday.

TALKS WITH UNITED STATES

He said the Government was also in dialogue with the United States to provide additional PPEs.

Harvey said although Jamaica had available supplies, the ministry has fast-tracked the procurement of additional gear.

Yesterday, health officials expressed concern that Jamaica did not have adequate supply of PPEs and other gear to deal with an Ebola outbreak.

The deadly disease, which kills up to 90 per cent of its victims, is transmitted through direct contact with blood and body fluids of infected persons. During an outbreak, the disease can spread quickly in health-care facilities, hence the importance of quarantine areas and protective gear for health-care workers and those who have to care for infected persons. more