LUSAKA, May 18 (Xinhua) -- Zambia has stepped up surveillance measures following fresh outbreaks of Ebola in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and Uganda, health authorities said Monday.
In a press statement, the Ministry of Health said surveillance measures have been intensified due to Zambia's close trade and transport links with the DRC and East African countries, adding that enhanced national preparedness activities have been activated.
According to the statement, six out of the country's 10 provinces have been placed under heightened surveillance, while enhanced screening measures, including thermal screening and health questionnaires, have been strengthened at major points of entry, particularly along the borders with the DRC and Tanzania.
"The Ministry of Health urges all citizens to remain calm, vigilant, and avoid panic, as the national public health system remains fully alert and actively engaged in managing the situation," the statement said.
While acknowledging that the country has so far not recorded any Ebola cases, the statement noted that a female patient in Luanshya District in Copperbelt Province was admitted and isolated at a local hospital on May 13 after presenting symptoms consistent with a hemorrhagic illness, including severe nosebleeds, vomiting blood, and profound weakness.
Preliminary rapid diagnostic test results conducted on the patient's blood sample returned negative for both Ebola virus disease and Marburg virus disease, the statement added. ■