Jamaica Gov’t Warns Entertainers Against Travel To Ebola-Affected Countries

The Jamaica Government is warning entertainers against travelling to Ebola-affected areas of Liberia, Nigeria, Guinea and Sierra Leone in West Africa.

The Ebola virus is a severe, often fatal illness with a death rate of up to 90 percent. 

Last week, the Health Ministry issued a general travel advisory urging persons to avoid going to the affected countries. and, in a statement this afternoon, the Ministry specifically directed a warning to entertainers and other players in the industry. 

Jamaican entertainers often visit several African countries to participate in numerous events and tours. 

But Health Minister Dr. Fenton Ferguson is warning them to reconsider any plans to travel to areas in West Africa affected by Ebola. 

He says this is important because the entertainers would potentially be putting themselves at risk of contracting the deadly virus and spreading it to other persons when they return to Jamaica.

On August 8, the World Health Organization declared Ebola a public health emergency of international concern and that has led many countries to step up their efforts at prevention. 

Earlier today, South Africa said non-citizens arriving from Ebola-affected areas of West Africa will not be allowed into the country, and all non-essential outgoing travel to the affected countries has been banned. 

Persons who have to travel to areas hit by Ebola are advised not to handle dead animals and not to have any direct contact with persons who may be infected or could have been in contact with an infected person. 

The Ebola virus is transmitted through direct contact with the blood or other body fluids or secretion of infected persons. 

The Ebola death toll is now 1,350.