Ebola: Cabo Verde sets up a multi-sectoral team and activates a preventive alert against the virus

Praia, 27 May (Inforpress) – Today, the president of the National Institute of Public Health (INSP) announced that the Government has set up a national multi-sectoral team to coordinate and implement the national contingency plan, with the aim of preventing the Ebola virus and keeping it out of the country.

Speaking to Inforpress, Maria da Luz Lima said that although she considers the risk of the virus entering Cabo Verde to be low, the committee that has been set up includes the World Health Organisation (WHO) and UNICEF. 

“Although the risk of infection in the archipelago is considered low, the authorities are already taking immediate preventive measures, one of which is the urgent issuance, between today and Thursday, of a statement addressed to health centres and the public,” he said, emphasising that the focus will be on risk communication and updating national contingency plans.

According to the same source, the plan will be supported by the World Health Organisation (WHO), UNICEF and the National Civil Aviation Agency (AAC). It provides for increased surveillance of people travelling to countries affected by the virus, with the aim of identifying suspected cases, isolating patients and monitoring their contact networks.

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