There are a number of measures that have been put in place at South African ports of entry as well as medical facilities in South Africa to identify persons at risk with fever from the affected countries.
The City of Ekurhuleni is home to the continents biggest and busiest airport, O. R. Tambo International Airport, and thus wishes to make its residents aware of the facts regarding the disease.
“It must, however, be emphasised that the risk of infection for travellers to the country would be considered low and thus the World Health Organisation has not imposed general trade or travel restrictions either to or from Sierra Leone, Guinea, Liberia and Nigeria, where the outbreak is rife,” said Ekurhuleni spokesperson Themba Gadebe.
The Ebola virus disease (EVD) is caused by a virus that prompts a severe illness and human infections result from direct contact with the body fluids, organs and blood of infected patients.
There is no airborne spread.
There is currently no vaccine available to treat or prevent the disease, however an experimental drug is currently being tested.
Symptoms start within two days of contact with an infected person or body.
The early symptoms are fever, tiredness, headache and nausea.
Vomiting, diarrhea, coughing and bleeding, mostly from the nose and mouth, are later symptoms.
“If after visiting Ebola affected countries you experience these symptoms you should immediately contact your medical centre and tell them about your symptoms and travel history,” said Gadebe.
“The potentially infected person making the call will be advised and may be sent to one of the health facilities designated to handle Ebola cases.”
In the meantime, health promoters at Ekurhuleni’s clinics have undergone a workshop and will be sharing information with communities and those visiting health care facilities.
