(MENAFN- Khaleej Times) The medical help desks set up at the airports after the state was put on alert against Ebola have been strengthened to ensure thorough checking of all travellers.
Kerala has joined the battle against Ebola by stepping up screening at airports and seaports.
State Health Secretary K Elangovan has directed officials at the three international airports at Trivandrum Cochin and Calicut to subject all people coming from the affected West African countries to stringent emigration checks and physical examination.
The medical help desks set up at the airports after the state was put on alert against Ebola have been strengthened to ensure thorough checking of all travellers. The officials are being given training on ways and means to detect and prevent the disease.
None of the 469 persons screened in the airports in the state so far have tested negative. The blood samples of two persons who were found affected by fever were analyzed but they tested negative. However 16 persons who came from Liberia last month were asked to go on semi-isolation at their homes.
The disease which has claimed more than 4000 lives globally has caused concern in the state as large number of people from Kerala is working in the West African countries and many travelers from these countries visit the state. The health department has made available services of medical officers and paramedical staff at the three airports. The Health Secretary said similar service would also be made available at the Cochin seaport.
Steps are being taken to give special training to the medical teams in handling patients as well as on infection control protocols. Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) kits will be made available to all hospitals.
All arrangements including quarantine facilities for treating those suspected to be carrying the deadly virus have been arranged at the medical colleges in Trivandrum and Calicut and the General Hospital at Ernakulam.
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