BUJUMBURA, May 17 (Xinhua) -- Following an outbreak of the Ebola virus in Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the Burundian government has announced measures to counter the deadly disease, the health minister said Saturday evening in a press release.
"The situation is particularly concerning for the region because affected zones are located at less than 400 km, with regular flows of mobility between both countries, notably via Bujumbura-Goma axis through air and road connections," said Burundian Public Health Minister Fidele Nkezabahizi.
"In regard to the geographical proximity, cross-border mobility and previous epidemiological experiences, Burundi is considered a high risk country for the introduction of the Ebola virus disease," noted Nkezabahizi.
He announced measures taken to prevent the Ebola virus from entering Burundi including the strengthening of surveillance on entry points through the identification and the supervision of priority entry points, the setting up of temporary structures for screening, sanitary control including temperature taking as well as training health agents.
Nkezabahizi added that detection kits for a quick response to alerts will be provided to health agents.
"The Burundian government in collaboration with its partners and mainly the World Health Organization have decided to boost the epidemiological surveillance in all border areas, build capacities of laboratories and quick screening," he said, adding that community awareness and crisis communication are to be increased.
He indicated that cross-border communication is going to be strengthened with Congolese health authorities as well as with other neighboring countries.
Nkezabahizi advised the population to abide by hygiene rules and to avoid eating meat from animals whose cause of death is unknown and to take quickly to health facilities sick people having symptoms like headaches, muscular pain, fatigue, vomiting and hemorrhagic diarrhea.
Since the outbreak of Ebola in the DRC, no cases have been confirmed in Burundi to date. ■