Proactive measures against Ebola outbreak risks

Amidst the ongoing uncertainty of the Ebola outbreaks in some African countries, Khanh Hoa Provincial health sector has urgently rolled out comprehensive prevention measures. From airports and seaports to treatment facilities and surveillance systems, every checkpoint is on high alert. The goal is to proactively detect and block the disease from entering the country, safeguarding the health of both residents and visitors.

Khanh Hoa International Health Quarantine Center staff monitor passengers' body temperatures.

Be proactive

On May 17, the World Health Organization declared Ebola a Public Health Emergency of International Concern, following an outbreak caused by the Bundibugyo virus strain. In response, the provincial health sector has immediately activated emergency plans. International health quarantine protocols have been elevated to the highest level, with Cam Ranh International Airport implementing strict screening and monitoring procedures to safeguard public health.

At Cam Ranh International Airport, international health quarantine personnel are now on duty around the clock. Between seven and ten remote body temperature scanners have been strategically placed along passenger routes to ensure 100% monitoring of both arrivals and departures. To further strengthen awareness, multilingual billboards and posters have been installed throughout the border area, keeping travelers informed about the latest Ebola situation and essential preventive measures.

Le Van Tung, Director of the Khanh Hoa International Health Quarantine Center, stated that following the Ministry of Health’s directive, the center has developed a detailed epidemic prevention and control plan with clear coordination scenarios. Personnel, equipment, and medical supplies have been reinforced to ensure readiness.

He explained, “In addition to doubling the number of body temperature monitoring devices and requiring health declarations from incoming passengers, those arriving from Africa or transiting through epidemic areas undergo thorough screening to detect early signs of illness. A rapid response team has also been established. When suspected symptoms such as fever or fatigue are identified, the individual is immediately taken to a temporary isolation area for risk assessment and then transferred to a medical facility for sample collection, diagnosis, and treatment.”

At Cam Ranh International Seaport, which regularly receives cruise liners and cargo ships, quarantine measures have been intensified. Officers board vessels to screen passengers, crew, and cargo directly, ensuring early detection and minimizing the risk of disease outbreaks.

Khanh Hoa International Health Quarantine Center staff check cargo on ships.

Nguyen Duc Tinh, Deputy Director of the Khanh Hoa Center for Disease Control: although Vietnam has not recorded any Ebola cases, the health sector remains vigilant. Response plans are in place, with close coordination between treatment facilities to monitor travelers from affected regions, collect samples when needed, and enforce isolation for positive cases (if any). Hospitals have prepared isolation areas, protective gear, medicines, and staff, with the Provincial Hospital for Tropical Diseases designated to treat patients. Public awareness campaigns are being intensified, urging people to avoid travel to outbreak zones, limit contact with wild animals, eat thoroughly cooked food, drink boiled water, maintain hygiene, and promptly report suspected symptoms.

Strengthening Ebola preparedness

According to the WHO, Congo has reported 750 suspected cases with 177 deaths, while Uganda has confirmed two imported cases, one fatal. The outbreak was caused by the Bundibugyo virus, one of the dangerous strains of Ebola.

On May 24, the Department of Medical Examination and Treatment Management issued an urgent directive requiring provincial health departments and medical facilities to tighten Ebola prevention measures. Hospitals must screen, classify, and strictly isolate suspected cases, especially travelers from outbreak countries within the past 21 days and ensure diagnostic and isolation facilities are ready if Ebola is detected in Vietnam.

The Ministry also released updated guidelines for diagnosis and treatment. A suspected case is defined as having a fever of 38°C or higher plus at least one symptom, such as headache, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, or unexplained bleeding, along with an epidemiological link within 21 days. According to health experts, Ebola is a severe viral illness with a fatality rate between 20% and 90% (50% on average).

T.L

Translated by N.T