On May 31, the ministry held an urgent meeting to define the potential risk of an Ebola outbreak as the epidemic continues to ravage the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Congo has faced the Ebola outbreak since early April
According to the ministry and the World Health Organisation (WHO), Congo has faced the Ebola outbreak since early April. The country has reported 58 Ebola patients to date, including 27 deaths.
Most of the patients are found in the remote areas far from capital Kinshasa. Until now, Congo’s neighbouring countries have not seen any Ebola cases.
According to delegates at the meeting, the risk of Ebola in Vietnam is low; however, it would not be impossible for an Ebola-infected person to travel to Vietnam.
To prevent the epidemic, the Ministry of Health have proposed tightening controls over border gates and hospitals. People who come from Ebola affected areas or vulnerable areas have to be carefully checked. It is also important to provide frequent updates about the epidemic condition for the public.
The ministry called on the WHO’s close co-operation in the fight against the disease.
Since 2014, Vietnam has taken active measures to prevent and control Ebola such as issuing the national plan on the epidemic prevention. Currently, many medical centres can conduct Ebola tests.