Ebola virus not a threat to SL

1 August 2014 02:12 am Views - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}} 12 Bookmark

CHATURANGA PRADEEP SAMARAWICKRAMA Follow

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While maintaining that the possibility of a tourist carrying the deadly Ebola Virus entering Sri Lanka was slim, Government Epidemiology Unit (GEU) Director Dr. Prabha Palihawadana said Sri Lanka was capable of tackling such an emergency.

“The Ebola Virus was first detected in Congo in 1976 and the extremely fatal virus has now spread to Liberia, Sierra Leone and Guinea-Bissau and some other parts of the world. However, since tourist arrivals are minimum from this part of the world, the risk of Ebola Virus entering the country is also minimal,” Dr. Palihawadana said.

She said Sri Lanka possessed medical facilities, drugs and medical expertise to meet any possible threat of Ebola Virus. The first action to take on detection of a patient with Ebola Virus was to take she or him to the nearest medical facility and isolate the patient.

Ebola virus does not transmit through air but through blood or sexual intercourse. Therefore, it is not difficult to keep the Ebola Virus away, she added. (Sandun A.Jayasekera)

Comments - 12

Raj Friday, 01 August 2014 02:44 AM

Ebola virus spread through patient's sputum in the air and contact, not through blood

3 22

Mutu Friday, 01 August 2014 02:53 AM

Let us hope and pray that Ebola will never come to SL or go beyond West Africa. This disease is worse than small pox and AIDS.

0 11

chami Friday, 01 August 2014 08:38 AM

not only from blood and sexual transmission it spreads from any body fluid. even from odour and saliva. thats why this is so dangerous via DM Android App

1 19

rabbit Friday, 01 August 2014 08:40 AM

ebola can even spread thru sweat or if smone sneezes next to u...basically all body fluids can transmit ebola...chk cdc website for info.. via DM Android App

0 22

Ara Friday, 01 August 2014 03:14 AM

quoting
"Ebola virus does not transmit through air but through blood or sexual intercourse. Therefore, it is not difficult to keep the Ebola Virus away, she added"

Dear doctor, please do not publish half truth,

"Ebola then spreads in the community through human-to-human transmission, with infection resulting from direct contact (through broken skin or mucous membranes) with the blood, secretions, organs or other bodily fluids of infected people, and indirect contact with environments contaminated with such fluids. Burial ceremonies in which mourners have direct contact with the body of the deceased person can also play a role in the transmission of Ebola"

1 21

Man Friday, 01 August 2014 03:23 AM

Yes. SL proved that they are capable to tackle any disease, like dengue fever as this where that miracle is. Nothing to worry.

1 18

SpaceCab Friday, 01 August 2014 03:55 AM

And these are the type of brilliant doctors we have ... She doesn't even know how Ebola is transmitted. I bet she will say thowilla dance will cure the disease!!

1 20

Dee Friday, 01 August 2014 04:26 AM

First get rid of dengue mosquito. without trying to eleminate all types of mosquito and making money through fines. So what do you intend to do in this case? eleminate all suspected carriers?(humans in this case)

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Dinesh Friday, 01 August 2014 05:59 AM

She can say SL is safe until it is found in Sri Lanka.

0 4

Podami Podina Nismi Friday, 24 October 2014 12:17 PM

why not through blood ?

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Podami Podina Nismi Friday, 24 October 2014 12:22 PM

do we have facility to test the ebola in any clinic ?

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Ismali AHDR Friday, 24 October 2014 12:44 PM

the testing for ebola take place at the airport or inside the air craft ? since if they touch the object such as stair, passport etc then the fluid will infect to the officers in the airport that is means we are in risk?

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