The World Health Organization (WHO) declared the Ebola outbreak in West Africa a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) on August 8th, 2014. WHO recommended that countries with Ebola transmission declare a national emergency and establish an emergency operation centre to coordinate support with all partners, spanning information, security, financial and other relevant sectors. This is to be done to ensure effective implementation and monitoring of comprehensive Ebola control measures; the countries with a potential or confirmed Ebola Case and unaffected countries bordering affected countries were advised to conduct surveillance for cases of unexplained fever or deaths due to febrile illness, and establish a qualified diagnostic laboratory for EVD. If Ebola transmission is confirmed to be occurring in the country, the full list of recommendations for countries with Ebola Transmission should be implemented. In unaffected countries such as Taiwan, there should be no general ban on international travel or trade, restrictions should be outlined, travelers to Ebola affected and at-risk areas should be given relevant information on risks and measures to minimize those risks. Furthermore, such countries should provide advice for managing potential exposure, preparing to detect, investigate, and manage Ebola cases, and planning to facilitate the evacuation and repatriation of nationals (e.g. health workers) who have been exposed to Ebola.
In order to fight the Ebola virus infection, Taiwan CDC consulted with regional medical directors to establish an “Ebola Virus Infection Emergency Response Task Force” and strengthen implementation of four major strategies: health education for outbound passengers, quarantine for incoming passengers, preparedness or drill performance, and international cooperation. The current response strategies include:
1.Providing travelers with updated information and health education materials at airports and travel clinics to remind the public to prevent Ebola virus infection when visiting the affected areas.
2.Providing “Ebola Virus Disease Travel Health Notices” for incoming passengers returning from Guinea, Liberia, Nigeria, and Sierra Leone to remind them to immediately seek medical attention and inform the doctor of recent travel if they feel sick, thereby cooperating with the National Immigration Agency and Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
3.Each regional response hospital completing preparations to receive patients, reviewing isolation wards and personal protective equipment, conducting personnel training, and improving medical personnel infection control.
4.Obtaining up to date Ebola control measures from WHO and other countries through the IHR Focal Point, the health representative in Geneva, as well as medical officers in the US CDC and Austria to review and update our national response and control strategies for the Ebola virus infection.
Taiwan CDC once again reminds travelers returning from the affected areas to watch their health for 21 days upon arrival in Taiwan. If any symptoms such as fever, vomiting, diarrhea or rash develop, they should call the toll-free hotline 1922 (or 0800-001922) to seek medical attention and inform the doctor of any recent travel and exposure. In addition, if a doctor diagnoses a suspected case, he/she should notify the health authorities within 24 hours and treat the patient in an isolation ward. The health care workers who care for the suspected cases should take necessary precautionary measures and monitor their health for 21 days. For more information, please visit the Taiwan CDC’s website in Chinese at www.cdc.gov.tw.