The Ministry of Health is partnering closely with other sectors to keep tourists from Ebola-hit areas under strict observation as the epidemic has claimed at least 4,951 lives in West Africa and is spreading beyond the affected region.

Vietnam has so far reported no infection case of the virus, the ministry confirmed on November 4.

Body temperature check at Noi Bai International Airport.

Earlier on November 3, the ministry sent urgent dispatches to the Ministries of Public Security; Culture, Sports and Tourism; Foreign Affairs; and Transport, calling for closer coordination in supervising target travellers.

Accordingly, health workers and border gate police will jointly make a list of passengers from Ebola-hit countries on a daily basis, and ask them to fill the medical declaration form.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Transport was asked to arrange body temperature scanners and isolation wards at international border gates and airport terminals.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will work with the health ministry to popularise preventive measures against the virus for Vietnamese expatriates in Ebola-hit areas and those preparing to come back home.

Ebola is a severe acute viral illness often characterised by the sudden onset of fever, intense weakness, muscle pain, headaches and a sore throat. These syptoms are followed by vomiting, diarrhoea, skin rashes, impaired kidney and liver functions, and in some cases, internal and external bleeding.

The virus is transmitted via close contact with an infected person’s bodily fluids such as sweat, blood and tissue.

Source: VNA