Philippines ready for Ebola

MANILA – Philippine health authorities have strengthened the mechanism to fight Ebola virus, especially with the expected influx of Filipinos returning to the country for the Christmas season, a government spokesman said.

“Pinapalakas pa ng ating pamahalaan ang paglatag ng epektibo at matatag na depensa laban sa Ebola virus. Palagiang binabanggit ng Pangulo na sa dami ng Pilipinong nasa labas ng bansa, ay inaasahan nating marami rin sa kanila ang uuwi sa panahon ng Kapaskuhan, kinakailangang palakasin natin at paigihin pa ang mga sistema para tiyakin na tayo ay hindi maaapektuhan o hindi lalaganap ang deadly virus na ito sa ating bansa,” he Secretary Herminio Coloma told radio station dzRB-Radyo ng Bayan.

He said all concerned government agencies are doing the necessary preparations and precautions to prevent Ebola from affecting Filipinos.

He said for instance, President Benigno Aquino instructed government agencies to prepare for the possible repatriation of Filipino peacekeepers from Africa, the hotbed of Ebola infections.

The Philippines has a contingent of peacekeepers in Liberia, one of the African countries with highest number of infections. And for Filipinos coming from other destinations who could be possible carriers of Ebola, they will go through strict screening and quarantine, Coloma said.

“Kung mayroon pong matutunton na mayroong sintomas ng Ebola, ang tawag po dito ay flu-like symptoms, agad po silang dapat na i-isolate at ilagay sa proper facilities na kung saan ay agad na matutunton ‘yung kanilang kondisyon at maihihiwalay po sila para mailayo po sa panganib ang karamihan sa ating mamamayan,” he said.

Coloma said the government will carry out extensive contact tracing if there are individuals who will be tested positive for the deadly virus.

“Kaya sa lahat po ng aspeto, pinalalakas natin, pinatatatag natin ang kahandaan ng ating bansa simula doon sa pinanggagalingan mismo ng Ebola na ang pinaka-hotbed nga ay ‘yung West Africa, at inihahanda na ang mga nararapat na hakbang,” he said. (Mindanao Examiner)