China's contributions to the fight against Ebola have been lauded by the World Health Organization. (Photo : Reuters)
As the Ebola virus continues to spread around the world, the Beijing government announced that local health authorities should observe preparatory measures for a potential outbreak in China, China Daily reported.
The Ebola disease is an acute, serious illness transmitted to people from wild animals and spreads through human-to-human transmission. In the recent outbreaks, fatality rate varied from 25 percent to 90 percent, according to a report by the World Health Organization (WHO). The first outbreak occurred in a remote village in Central Africa.
The National Health and Family Planning Commission reminded the local health department and hospitals that apparatus, medicines and protective gear must be secured in case of patient transfers.
The commission also revealed their Ebola prevention and control plan. It includes procedures like virus screening, case reporting, infection control and important clinical guidelines.
Authorities said that respondents should have a detailed work flow to guide medical workers. They also stressed the importance of quarantine measures and safe disposals of medical wastes to prevent the virus from spreading.
Pang Xinghuo, deputy director of the Beijing Center for Disease Prevention and Control, assured the public that local health authorities are making efforts to keep the country Ebola-free. He also asked the public to remain calm.
China's foreign affairs, health and tourism departments previously released a joint statement that there will be a more thorough entry-exit inspection on passengers and cargos from infected countries.
Health authorities reminded passengers that if symptoms like headache and fever were detected, they would go through medical checks and possibly be quarantined. These preventive measures are to ensure that the public and foreign passengers remain safe.
As of today, there has been no Ebola case reported in China. In the recent report from the WHO, a total of 9,191 Ebola cases had been reported in West Africa, with 4,546 deaths.
Through the United Nations World Food Program (WFP), China pledged $6 million to assist 1.3 million people impacted by the Ebola virus outbreak in Africa, reported Xinhuanet.
