Researcher Dicky Budiman stated that the government does not need to\ncompletely close the country\u2019s borders following the declaration of the\nEbola outbreak as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern\n(PHEIC). According to him, the main focus should be on strengthening\nsurveillance for transmission, especially among pilgrims and travellers,\nas well as international travellers.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe government does not need to carry out total border closures, but\nthe standards for strengthening or having screening at entry points must\nmaintain quality and management,\u201d said Dicky when contacted on Sunday\n(17\/5).<\/p>\n
He emphasized that epidemiological surveillance at various\ninternational entry points must be tightened, including at airports,\nports, migration routes, as well as for pilgrims who are potentially a\nhighly mobile group.<\/p>\n
Epidemiological surveillance at international entry points such as\nairports, ports, migration routes, pilgrims, and international\ntravellers from Africa must be closely monitored and maintained from now\non.<\/p>\n
In addition to monitoring international mobility, the government is\nalso asked to ensure that risk-based screening runs optimally,\nespecially for travellers with a history of visits in the last 21 days\nwho show certain symptoms.<\/p>\n
Furthermore, it is important to ensure that risk-based screening\nfocuses on travel history within 21 days with acute fever, bleeding, or\ncontact with Ebola patients, and exposure to wildlife should also be\nscreened.<\/p>\n
The strengthening of preparedness within the country is also\nconsidered important, starting from laboratory readiness to patient\nmanagement systems and health workers.<\/p>\n
For strengthening within the country, it must ensure the readiness of\nBSL-3 and BSL-4 laboratories, as well as PCR Filovirus capabilities with\nrapid diagnostics, and of course, a biohazard specimen transport\nsystem.<\/p>\n
In addition, the readiness of referral hospitals is also needed,\nwhich should include outbreak simulations, Infection Prevention and\nControl audits, the availability of PPE and negative pressure isolation\nrooms, and refresher training for health workers.<\/p>\n
\u201cBecause many lessons were learned during the pandemic, countries\nfailed not because the virus was too strong, but actually because the\nhealth system reacted too late,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Dicky also reminded that handling Ebola needs to use a one health\napproach that connects human, animal, and environmental aspects.<\/p>\n
Dicky added that when talking about Ebola, the approach is one\nhealth, just like dealing with hantavirus and Covid-19 cases, which is\nan approach to environmental, human, and animal health.<\/p>\n
\u201cBecause Ebola is not only a problem for humans, but it is also\nrelated to deforestation, logging, habitat fragmentation, interaction\nbetween humans and animals, wildlife trade, climate change, and\nexploitation of mines and tropical forests,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Previously, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the Ebola\noutbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda as a PHEIC. The\nAfrica Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) recorded\n13 confirmed cases of Ebola. In addition, 246 unconfirmed cases have\nbeen identified, while local authorities are still investigating\npossible deaths related to the outbreak, which amount to 65 people.\n(E-4)<\/p>\n
The GOVERNMENT has started preparing anticipatory steps regarding the\npotential spread of the Ebola outbreak through international travel\nroutes.<\/p>", "url": "https:\/\/jawawa.id\/newsitem\/ebola-declared-international-emergency-experts-highlight-risk-of-transmission-from-pilgrims-and-travellers-1780679557", "image": "" }, "sponsor": "Okusi Associates", "sponsor_url": "https:\/\/okusiassociates.com" }