[Life] Ebola Spreading Faster, CDC Implements Four Border Control Measures for Strict Prevention
bella@@ 央廣 新聞3h agoEdited
The Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Africa, is spreading faster, with a surge in cases in recent weeks, raising international concerns about the epidemic potentially getting out of 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 affected areas, all without symptoms. The CDC will continuously review relevant border policies and maintain medical preparedness.
#Reported by Radio Taiwan International (RTI) correspondent Liu Pin-hsi#
The Ebola outbreak 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 untraced, posing a very high risk of epidemic 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 rate, this outbreak could replicate the severity of the 2014 West Africa Ebola pandemic, potentially becoming one of the most serious global public health crises in recent years.
CDC spokesperson Tseng Shu-hui said in an interview with Radio Taiwan International (RTI) on the 17th 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, a fatality rate of 23.8%. The epidemic is mainly concentrated in 31 health districts in 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 the rest of Africa and the global risk as "low."
Since May 27th, the CDC has implemented quarantine and 21-day self-health management for all travelers who have visited Congo and Uganda within the past 21 days. Controls were further tightened starting at midnight on June 2nd, with residents of Congo and Uganda being prohibited from entering, except for four categories: degree students who have obtained admission to Taiwan, diplomatic personnel, and spouses of Taiwanese nationals. Tseng Shu-hui stated that since the implementation of controls, 8 individuals have entered from affected areas, 7 of whom are Taiwanese nationals and 1 is Ugandan. Quarantine personnel issued "Entry Passenger Self-Health Management Advisory Notices" to these 8 individuals. Apart from one person who experienced mild fever the day after arrival and was tested negative for Ebola virus infection, the remaining 7 individuals were asymptomatic.
The Ebola outbreak 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 on May 27th, when the travel advisory for the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda was elevated to a Level 3 warning. The second measure, also on May 27th, was the first phase of inter-agency border security collaboration, enhancing in-flight announcements and requiring the public to cooperate with 21 days of self-health management. The third policy is the temporary suspension of entry for residents of 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 for medical treatment. Three "Special Pathogen 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. Should a severe Ebola case emerge domestically, the patient will be transferred to one of these centers for treatment. (Editor: Song Wan-yuan)
Source Link: https://www.rti.org.tw/news?uid=3&pid=214979
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