IT HAS BEEN REPORTED TO THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH THAT A VESSEL DOCKED AT FREEPORT, GRAND BAHAMA HAD TRAVELED FROM AFRICA TO THE BAHAMAS. NOTIFICATION TO HEALTH AUTHORITIES WAS MADE PRIOR TO ANYONE BEING ALLOWED TO LEAVE THE VESSEL. THE VESSEL WAS EVALUATED BY THE SURVEILLANCE TEAM ON THE ISLAND AND IN THE INVESTIGATION IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE CREW HAD BEEN OUT TO SEA FOR MORE THAN 21 DAYS, THE ESTABLISHED INCUBATION PERIOD FOR EBOLA VIRUS DISEASE. ADDITIONALLY, AFTER MEDICAL EVALUATION ON BOARD THE SHIP, NO PERSONS WERE FOUND TO BE ILL, OR TO HAVE ANY SYMPTOMS RELATED TO EBOLA VIRUS DISEASE. IT WAS THEN DECLARED THAT THERE WAS NO ESTABLISHED RISK TO THE POPULATION’S HEALTH RELATED TO EBOLA VIRUS DISEASE OR OTHERWISE.
Ebola Virus Disease is a severe disease characterized by sudden onset of fever, intense weakness, muscle pain, headache and sore throat which may be followed by vomiting, diarrhea, rash, impaired kidney and liver function and in some cases both internal and external bleeding.
In December 2013 an Ebola outbreak started in Guinea, West Africa and spread to Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Senegal, The United States of America, and Spain. A separate outbreak is currently occurring in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Most recently both Nigeria and Senegal have been declared free of Ebola transmission by the World Health Organization.
The World Health Organization has recommended persons to avoid unnecessary travel to Ebola affected countries. Persons who do travel to affected areas should ensure that necessary precautions are taken to avoid exposure.
Returning travelers who experience any of the above mentioned symptoms within 21 days of arriving home should consult their health care provider immediately or contact the Surveillance Unit at 502-4776/502-4790/397-1021.
For further information please visit the Ministry of Health’s website at www.bahamas.gov.bs/health or www.who.org/int .
Editor’s Note: It is significant that the release does not indicate which country or countries the vessel had been to on the continent. The vast majority of Africa at this time is Ebola free.
