MoH urges travelers to Congo and Uganda to adhere to Ebola protocols

MUSCAT: The Ministry of Health on Sunday urged all travelers arriving in and departing from the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda to adhere to preventive health controls to reduce the risk of contracting the Ebola virus. The ministry stressed that awareness and prevention are the first line of defense for maintaining health and safety while traveling.

The ministry recommended avoiding unnecessary travel to countries affected by the Ebola outbreak, staying informed about official health updates issued by health authorities and the World Health Organization and ensuring the validity of health insurance and medical evacuation insurance.

The ministry stressed the importance of adhering to preventive measures during travel and stay by avoiding contact with persons showing symptoms like fever, bleeding, vomiting, or diarrhea; avoiding contact with blood and other bodily fluids in general, or with the personal belongings of infected individuals; washing hands regularly and using alcohol-based sanitizers; avoiding unnecessary visits to healthcare facilities in affected areas; refraining from handling wild animals or eating undercooked meat; and avoiding attending funerals or gatherings that may involve direct contact with infected or deceased individuals.

The ministry explained that passengers arriving in the Sultanate of Oman from countries affected with Ebola outbreak should monitor their health for 21 days from the date of departure.

Persons showing symptoms of fever, severe headache, diarrhea or vomiting, bleeding, or extreme fatigue, should immediately visit the nearest health facility and inform the medical staff of their travel history and the countries they visited and avoid contact with others until medical evaluation.

The ministry indicated that the Ebola virus is not airborne, but rather transmitted through direct contact with the bodily fluids of an infected person or contaminated objects. It emphasized that early detection and rapid reporting help reduce the spread of the disease and protect the community.

Infection occurs through direct contact with the blood, secretions, or bodily fluids of an infected person, or through contact with contaminated materials and objects, and through touching infected animals or the bodies of those who have died from the disease.

The ministry stressed that prevention is the most effective way to avoid infection by avoiding travel to affected areas, staying away from contact with infected individuals and avoiding sharing personal s. For others, it is important to maintain personal hygiene, wash hands regularly, avoid contact with wild animals, and ensure meat is thoroughly cooked before consumption.

Earlier, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) issued a circular urging the public to avoid unnecessary travel to countries affected by Ebola outbreak and to follow updates issued by official health authorities and the World Health Organization.