Caribbean Community countries, led by The Bahamas, are stepping up monitoring and awareness activities to prevent an Ebola outbreak in the region with officials in Nassau already isolating two recently arrived European travelers.
The two, a British national living in Australia and a Frenchman out of France ordered special isolation for the two passengers after they had landed at the main international airport in the capital at the weekend.
Officials say both have a history of frequent travel to The Democratic Republic of The Congo and were exhibiting fever symptoms after arriving on a British Air flight from London with more than 200 passengers.
All were screened for any signs of illnesses but the two were placed in isolation while doctors monitored their condition.
And while stressing that the men were not known to have frequented Ebola-infected areas, more than 40 passengers who had been seated next to, or near the two, are receiving enhanced monitoring as a precaution.
“All relevant infection prevention and control measures are being implemented,” Chief Medical Officer Jillian Bartlett told reporters. “No confirmed infections have been identified at this time. Based on the information currently provided to the ministry of health and wellness, the risk to the public is low. The ministry will continue its monitoring and evaluation protocols and provide updates as needed. The two passengers in question reportedly had a travel history which placed them in the Democratic Republic of Congo for approximately three weeks before traveling on to Ethiopia and then to The Bahamas. Upon the flight’s arrival in New Providence the ministry of health and wellness immediately implemented its health protocol, which included placing the two passengers in isolation. Subsequently, the other passengers and crew on board the flight were assessed.”
Meanwhile, out of an abundance of caution Antigua has canceled an Air Peace special flight from Nigeria, which was due to land this week, according to recently-reelected Prime Minister Gaston Browne. He said the island is also preparing to implement a series of temporary measures to restrict travel from parts of Africa where the Ebola outbreak is being fought by the international community.
