No menu items!

COSTA RICA'S LEADING ENGLISH LANGUAGE NEWSPAPER

HomeEbolaCosta Rican health officials announce measures to prevent introduction of Ebola virus...

Costa Rican health officials announce measures to prevent introduction of Ebola virus here

The declaration by the World Health Organization (WHO) on Friday of the outbreak of Ebola virus in West Africa as an international public emergency prompted local health officials to implement a series of measures to prevent the possible spread to Costa Rica.

Health Ministry Director of Health Surveillance María Ethel Trejos on Friday said that one of the first steps involves immigration staff at all airports, who will identify and interview travelers arriving from countries with active cases of the virus.

“If we suspect someone might be carrying [Ebola], officials will immediately quarantine that person until the incubation period passes,” Trejos said. The incubation period is 2-21 days, and people are infectious as long as their blood and secretions contain the virus, according to the WHO.

The emergency measures designate San Rafael Hospital in Alajuela and Hospital México in San José as the two key points of operational response for anyone with Ebola symptoms.

Trejos reiterated that no Ebola cases have been detected in Costa Rica, and she asked travelers to avoid countries with outbreaks.

According to the Immigration Administration, nine Costa Ricans have traveled to Liberia and Sierra Leone this year, and 111 Ticos have traveled to Nigeria. None have Ebola symptoms.

The Ebola virus causes an acute illness characterized by the sudden onset of fever, intense weakness, muscle pain, headache and sore throat. Those symptoms are followed by vomiting, diarrhea, rashes, impaired kidney and liver functions, and in some cases, both internal and external bleeding (see infograph below). Lab findings include low white blood cell and platelet counts and elevated liver enzymes.

According to the WHO, as of Aug. 6, the cumulative number of Ebola cases in the four hardest-hit African countries – Guinea, Liberia, Sierra Leone and Nigeria – stands at 1,779, including 961 deaths.

Ebola Virus symptoms
(Courtesy of US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

Popular Articles

Costa Rica Catholics Support Conclave Despite No Voting Cardinal

Black smoke rose from the Sistine Chapel’s chimney this evening, signaling that the 133 cardinals in the 2025 conclave have not yet elected a...

UNESCO Awards Nicaragua’s La Prensa for Courageous Journalism in Exile

The UN culture agency awarded its annual press award to Nicaragua's oldest newspaper, whose staff have been forced to publish from abroad as President...

Costa Rica Launches Drone Program to Monitor Crocodile Populations

In Costa Rica, the exact number of American crocodiles (Crocodylus acutus) remains unknown, despite signs of population recovery in recent decades. To address this...
L. Arias
L. Arias
Reporter | The Tico Times |
spot_img
Costa Rica Tours
Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Travel Insurance
Costa Rica Rocking Chait

Latest Articles