Ebola surveillance may cause airport delay says Health Minister of Jamaica Dr. Fenton Ferguson

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Health Minister Dr Fenton Ferguson says that persons leaving and entering the island during the Christmas period may encounter some delays due to surveillance procedures at the airports, as the Government continues its preparations to deal with the possibility of Ebola in Jamaica.

“I want Jamaicans to understand that they may have to endure some inconveniences as we put protocols in place to strengthen our borders and surveillance mechanism,” Ferguson said.

He was speaking at the official re-opening of the May Pen Hospital’s Accident and Emergency Unit on Friday, and appealed for understanding and cooperation as the necessary measures are carried out.

“The Christmas period is coming and will result in increased travel to Jamaica, from all over the world…I appeal to persons to bear with us as we have to put necessary measures in place at the airports to screen, and in some cases, quarantine and follow-up persons, who come in and who may have travelled to any Ebola-affected area,” he said.

In recent weeks, the Government has increased its public education activities to sensitise the nation on the effects of the deadly Ebola virus, while also providing operators of funeral homes with policy guidelines on how to deal with persons, who die from such infectious diseases.

jamaica observer