21st October 2014 EBOLA CONTINGENCY PLANNING There has been much in the media of late regarding the outbreak of Ebola in Western Africa, and the ramifications of the outbreak for the international community. This press statement is intended to provide a background to the current Ebola outbreak, and to provide clarity on the Falkland Islands Government’s response to any potential threat of Ebola. BACKGROUND: Ebola virus disease is a rare but serious condition, for which there are no known licensed treatments or vaccines. It was first identified in Africa in the mid-1970s and has caused sporadic outbreaks ever since in several African countries. An outbreak that began in March 2014 has been the most serious outbreak so far. Countries most affected by the Ebola virus are Guinea, Liberia, Nigeria, Senegal and Sierra Leone. The total number of reported probable, confirmed and suspected cases (up to 17th October 2014) is 8,997, with 4,493 deaths. This outbreak has an overall fatality rate of 49%. Recently Senegal and Nigeria have been declared ‘Ebola free’ by the World Health Organisation (WHO), suggesting that some early signs of control of this disease through the West African nations is happening. Three countries, Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone, currently have high transmission levels. The overall risk to the general UK population continues to be low. Currently the WHO also assesses the risk to South American countries as being low. The threat of Ebola reaching the Falkland Islands is extremely low. The virus is only transmitted by direct contact with the blood or body fluids (such as blood, saliva or vomit) of an infected person. The incubation period of Ebola ranges from 2 to 21 days, and so whilst unlikely, it is not impossible that a person infected in Guinea, Liberia or Sierra Leone could arrive in the Falkland Islands. An individual infected with Ebola may arrive in the Falklands with symptoms that began prior to departure, or with symptoms that developed in transit, or they may arrive before developing any symptoms. The Falkland Islands contingency plans for Ebola are based on the assumption that there is a low, but nevertheless real, risk of importing a case of Ebola from West Africa. THE FALKLAND ISLANDS GOVERNMENT RESPONSE TO THE THREAT: The FIG focus is very much on prevention at this time, but with good contingency plans also being laid down as a back up to a possible outbreak. It must be noted that the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) and King Edward VII Memorial Hospital (KEMH) are constantly reviewing the situation, and plans will be reviewed and altered according to the perceived level of threat to our country. The CMO has been in discussion with the Ministry of Defence at Mount Pleasant and contingency plans have been drawn up as to how to deal with a suspected case of Ebola in the Falklands. As part of this contingency plan it has been decided by the CMO that all shipping vessels leaving a country with a ‘high’ level of Ebola transmission (currently only Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone) will be refused clearance at our ports and any vessel seeking to enter would be isolated until 21 days after their departure from the West African country in question. This control measure will be reviewed regularly, and altered accordingly in line with the WHO guidance on the risk within countries. The threat of the virus arriving via airport routes is not impossible, but it is extremely low. It must be stressed you cannot catch Ebola through social contact or by travelling on a plane with someone who is infected, without direct contact with the blood or body fluids of an infected person. It is also important to note that a person who is infected with Ebola is not contagious until they have a fever and start to become unwell. SUMMARY: • The overall risk of Ebola to the Falkland Islands population is extremely low. • Ebola is difficult to catch and can only be transmitted via the body fluids of an infected individual who is unwell (i.e. fever, vomiting, bleeding etc) • Contingency plans are in place to deal with patients suspected of having Ebola who travel to the Falkland Islands • Ships who have visited ‘high risk’ countries will be refused clearance in the Falkland Islands until 21 days have elapsed since visiting the high-risk port. • Updates will be released if and when the situation changes. For further information regarding this press release, please contact the PR & Media Office on +500 27400
Posted on: Tue, 21 Oct 2014 13:53:48 +0000
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