The Ebola emergency operations centre (EOC) under the Health Ministry held a meeting on October 19 in a bid to early address Ebola prevention measures concerning Vietnamese current situation.

Deputy Health Minister Nguyen Thanh Long (M) inspected preparations at the National Hospital of Tropical Diseases. (Photo: MoH)

Representatives from the Steering Committee for Epidemic Prevention and Control and related agencies as well as from the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the US Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) attended the event.

During the meeting, Deputy Health Minister Nguyen Thanh Long urged the EOC to complete an Ebola reaction plan as soon as possible.

Under the blueprint, rapid response teams will be established at central, regional and provincial levels while educational campaigns must be launched to raise the community’s awareness about Ebola prevention.

The Steering Committee for Epidemic Prevention and Control will work closely with the WHO and the CDC to carry out drills providing medical staff with guidance on the disease recognition along with treatment protocol.

Prior to the meeting, the Deputy Minister inspected preparations at the National Hospital of Tropical Diseases.

The hospital has so far set up two isolation rooms, stored medicine, upgraded its research laboratory and had its staff practise steps of receiving and treating Ebola patients.

According to the WHO, Ebola is marking its growing numbers in terms of infected cases and death toll. From December 2013 to October 19, 2014, there were 9,284 people contracting Ebola, of whom 4,604 people succumbed to the disease. Besides the West African countries, one case was reported in Spain and three in the US, including one death.

Until now, no infection case of the virus has been reported in Viet Nam.

(Source: VNA)