ADDIS ABABA, Oct. 19 (Xinhua) -- The Ethiopian Ministry of Health said it is intensifying coordinated measures to prevent a potential Ebola virus disease outbreak in the country amid reported cases in neighboring Kenya.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the ministry said it, along with the Ethiopian Public Health Institute, regional health bureaus and partner organizations, is stepping up prevention and preparedness measures to keep the Ebola virus from entering the country and take swift responses in case of happening.
Health screenings at both air and land entry points are in place, while laboratory testing capacity, isolation facilities, rapid response teams and disease surveillance systems are being established and organized, the ministry said, adding that its health professionals are conducting health screening, isolation and monitoring round the clock for people coming from countries affected by the disease.
The ministry urged the public to remain vigilant and immediately report any suspected cases or individuals exhibiting key Ebola virus symptoms including vomiting and bleeding.
Kenya confirmed its first Ebola case on Oct. 6. The index patient, a Kenyan man who had been living in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, arrived in Nairobi on Oct. 3.
Kenya's health authorities confirmed an eighth Ebola case on Monday after a 49-year-old patient attendant tested positive. ■