[Life] Ebola Spreads Faster, CDC Implements Four Border Control Measures for Strict Prevention
bellala 央廣7h agoEdited
The Ebola epidemic in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Africa, is spreading faster, with a surge in cases in recent weeks, raising international concerns that the outbreak could spiral out of control. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) spokesperson Tseng Shu-hui stated today (17th) that Taiwan has established a defense line, implementing four major border control measures. To date, a total of 8 individuals have entered from the affected areas, all without symptoms. The CDC will continuously review relevant border policies and continue to prepare medical resources.
The Ebola epidemic in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Africa, continues to expand. The Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention stated that tens of thousands of contacts are still being traced, posing a very high risk of spread. According to projections from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention models, confirmed cases could exceed 20,000 within the next three months. International public health experts generally believe that if epidemic prevention efforts continue to lag behind the virus's transmission speed, this outbreak could repeat the tragedy of the 2014 West African Ebola pandemic, potentially becoming one of the most severe global public health crises in recent years.
Speaking to Radio Taiwan International on the 17th, CDC spokesperson Tseng Shu-hui said that according to the latest statistics, the Democratic Republic of Congo has reported a cumulative total of 808 confirmed cases, with 192 deaths and 48 recoveries, resulting in a fatality rate of 23.8%. The epidemic is mainly concentrated in 31 health zones across Ituri, North Kivu, and South Kivu provinces. Uganda has reported a cumulative total of 19 confirmed cases, including 2 deaths and 7 recoveries.
Tseng Shu-hui pointed out that the World Health Organization (WHO) maintains its risk assessment for the Democratic Republic of Congo as "very high," for Uganda and countries bordering those that have detected the Bundibugyo Ebola virus as "high" risk, and for other African countries and the global risk as "low."
The CDC has implemented entry quarantine and 21 days of self-health management for travelers who have visited Congo and Uganda within the past 21 days since May 27th. Subsequently, controls were tightened, and starting from midnight on June 2nd, residents of Congo and Uganda are generally prohibited from entering, with exceptions for four categories: degree students who have obtained admission permits to Taiwan, diplomatic officials, and spouses of Taiwanese nationals. Tseng Shu-hui stated that since the implementation of controls, 8 individuals have entered from the affected areas, including 7 Taiwanese nationals and 1 Ugandan national. Quarantine personnel issued "Entry Passenger Self-Health Management Advisory Notices" to these 8 individuals. Apart from one person who developed a mild fever the day after entry and was tested at the hospital, ruling out Ebola virus infection, the other 7 individuals remained asymptomatic.
The Ebola epidemic in Africa has put countries on high alert, and Taiwan has also implemented stringent border controls. Tseng Shu-hui stated that Taiwan has implemented four major measures and will continuously review them as the epidemic develops. She said: "(Original sound) The first measure was to elevate the travel advisory for the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda to Level 3 warning on May 27th. The second measure was the initiation of the first phase of inter-agency border security collaboration on May 27th, enhancing in-flight broadcasts and requiring the public to cooperate with 21 days of self-health management. The third policy is the temporary suspension of entry from the two countries. The fourth is voluntary free testing upon entry, which we will continue."
Tseng Shu-hui pointed out that "core care hospitals" with the capacity to respond to emerging infectious disease outbreaks will continue to prepare medical resources. Three "Special Pathogen Technology Care Demonstration Centers" in Taiwan, including National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, and National Cheng Kung University Hospital, can also manage high-risk emerging infectious disease cases. Once a severe Ebola patient appears domestically, they will be transferred to these centers for treatment. (Editor: Song Wanyuan)
Source Link: https://www.rti.org.tw/news?uid=3&pid=214979
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