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Latest Ebola News: Pakistan airport to get screening counters for Ebola

Latest Ebola News: Pakistan airport to get screening counters for Ebola

Written by Editorial Team |Published : October 18, 2014 6:41 PM IST

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)

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Ebola virus causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, prognosis and prevention

The Ebola virus disease (EVD), formerly known as Ebola hemorrhagic fever is a severe condition caused by a virus from the Filoviridae family. According to scientists there are five different types of the virus, all of which have the potential to infect humans.CausesAccording to the WHO (World Health Organisation) this disease can be transmitted from close contact with the blood, secretions, organs or other bodily fluids of infected animals. In humans the disease can be transmitted by the following methods:

  • Coming into contact with the blood, secretions, organs or other bodily fluids of an infected person.
  • Healthcare workers may contract the disease through transmission as well through contact with infected bodily fluids.
  • Handling the meat from infected animals.
  • Contact with the bodily fluids of an infected person who has passed away.

Risk factors

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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