Health Ministry Introduces Five-Point Guideline on the Prevention of Ebola Virus

COLOMBO (News 1st) - The Ministry of Health has taken steps to implement a five-point guideline as a precautionary step regarding the Ebola virus.

The guidelines were issued in a statement under the signature of the Director General of Health Services.

The Ministry stated that these measures were decided in line with recommendations issued by the World Health Organization.

Accordingly, the measures include:

-Strengthening surveillance activities at airports.
-Ensuring that the National Institute of Infectious Diseases remains prepared to provide the necessary treatment if a suspected patient is reported. 
-Preparing the Medical Research Institute to carry out required diagnostic testing.
-Strengthening the country’s surveillance system and continuously monitoring the global situation.
-Ensuring close coordination between the Epidemiology Unit of the Health Ministry and the World Health Organization for necessary response activities.

The statement further noted that, according to the criteria of the World Health Organization, Sri Lanka has been categorized as a low-risk country for the disease.

However, the Ministry of Health emphasized that the public should not develop unnecessary fear around the Ebola virus.