Somalia steps up Ebola screening at Airports following case in neighbouring Kenya

Somalia has stepped up monitoring of incoming flights from African countries following the detection of Ebola in neighboring Kenya, Somali health authorities said.

Somalia’s Minister of Health, Dr. Ali Haji Adam, said additional measures have been introduced to prevent the virus from entering the country.

Health workers have been deployed at airports to monitor flights arriving from African countries and assess the health condition of passengers before they enter the city.

The minister said the measures have been strengthened following confirmation of an Ebola case in Kenya, which shares a border with Somalia.

“We have established a health team at the airport to monitor flights arriving from African countries. We are now strengthening our preparedness after Ebola reached neighboring Kenya,” Minister Ali Haji Adam said.

In a statement, Somalia’s Ministry of Health also urged the public to take precautions against the disease. It advised people to wash their hands regularly, avoid contact with the blood and bodily fluids of sick people, and seek immediate medical care if they develop severe symptoms, particularly after traveling to an Ebola-affected area.

“Wash your hands regularly. Do not touch the blood or bodily fluids of a sick person. If you experience severe illness, particularly after traveling to an area affected by Ebola, seek immediate medical care,” the Ministry said in a statement

Common symptoms of Ebola include sudden fever, severe fatigue, muscle pain, headache, sore throat, vomiting, diarrhea and unexplained bleeding. Symptoms can appear between two and 21 days after exposure to the virus.

Mustaqbal