By Jane Chanda
Zambia has activated full screening at all points bordering the Democratic Republic of Congo –DRC- following the Ebola outbreak in the neighbouring country.
The World Health Organisation –WHO- and the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention -Africa CDC- have declared the outbreak a public health emergency of international and continental concern.
Zambia National Public Health Institute –ZNPHI- Assistant Director for Preparedness and Response NAEEM DALAL says Zambia has received official communication on the Ebola virus disease outbreak affecting the DRC.
Dr. DALAL says the strain involved differs from previous outbreaks, with no vaccine or known treatment currently available, making prevention and heightened surveillance critical for Zambia.
He says Northern, Luapula and North-Western provinces, which share borders with the DRC, have activated full public health screening measures at ports of entry, including questionnaires, temperature checks and infection control procedures.
Dr. DALAL adds that public health emergency response centres in six provinces, Northern, Luapula, North-Western, Lusaka, Southern and Copperbelt are now operational and monitoring any suspected cases.
He has urged members of the public to maintain proper hygiene, monitor their health and rely only on official information from ZNPHI and the Disaster Management and Mitigation Unit -DMMU.
In a statement obtained by ZNBC News in Lusaka, Dr. DALAL also warned against the spread of false information and sensational reports on social media.
