LUANDA, May 12 (Xinhua) -- Angola is taking measures to prevent the Ebola virus disease, following its outbreak in neighboring Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), according to a document issued by the Angolan Health Ministry here Friday.
Angola and the DRC share a long territorial border and a large number of people cross the border everyday. So, it is necessary to strengthen epidemiological surveillance near the border, said the document.
The Health Ministry held an emergency meeting Thursday to establish measures to prevent Ebola, including improving surveillance on river and maritime ports, airports and terrestrial border points, as well as recommending the public to maintain good personal hygiene.
Ebola is a highly infectious disease spread through body contact with an infected person. It's symptoms are high fever, bleeding, diarrhoea and red eyes, among others. The time between the exposure to the virus and the development of symptoms is between two and 21 days.
Mortality rates of Ebola fever, according to the World Health Organization, are extremely high, with the human case fatality rate ranging from 50 percent to 89 percent, depending on viral subtype.
So far, no case of Ebola has been reported in Angola. The DRC government on Thursday confirmed 11 cases and one death.
