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According to media reports, the Pakistan Government has set up screening facility at Islamabad airport for checking passengers arriving from Ebola-affected nations. Members of Pakistani peace missions returning from African countries on chartered flights would be checked in the aircraft, Dawn online reported. Moreover, people coming from three countries of West Africa - Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone - will be put under observation for 21 days after their arrival to ensure they are not affected by Ebola. (Read: Ebola facts frequently asked questions (FAQ))
An official stationed at the airport said that passengers would be checked physically and through thermo-scan machines. 'The crew of the incoming airplane give a report about the situation of the flight and patients, if any, to the traffic control centre before landing. That report is called the general declaration,' he said. He said the part of the general declaration related to the health condition of the passengers would be checked by the staff deputed at the facility. (Read: 10 reasons that make the Ebola virus deadly for humans)
If the declaration revealed the presence of any patient showing symptoms of Ebola, arrangements would be made to scan the patient. Airport Health Officer Irfan Tahir said that a guideline for the Ebola patients had been received from the health ministry. The immigration staff has also been directed that if they identify any passenger coming from the African countries, they should immediately inform the Ebola counter, he said. (Read: 8 tips to prevent Ebola infection)
Ebola virus causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, prognosis and prevention
Dr Ratan Kumar Vaish, Senior Consultant, Department of Internal medicine, Rockland Group of Hospitals, Delhi-NCR says, The condition is contagious, so migratory populations are most likely to get infected and transmit the virus. Interestingly, this condition is also a hospital acquired infection and is commonly transmitted to hospital staff.
Apart from that, high risk individuals include diabetics, immunocompromised patients, patients with kidney and liver failure and HIV infected people. (Read more about Ebola virus causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, prognosis and prevention)
With inputs from IANS
Source: Getty Images
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