Laos seeks Ebola preparedness boost
VIENTIANE, Nov. 27 (Xinhua) -- Lao authorities are working to boost preparedness measures to detect and prevent the spread of the Ebola virus in the country, state-run media Vientiane Times reported Thursday.No cases of the contagion, which emerged in West Africa, have been identified in Laos or the wider region as yet.
The measures came following a notice issued by the Government Office in response to guidance of Prime Minister Thongsing Thammavong and Deputy Prime Minister with responsibility for social and cultural affairs and Minister of Education, Dr Phankham Viphavanh.
The notice called authorities in the capital and provinces to be alert and educate themselves about the virus and its potential to spread and to keep abreast of reports from relevant agencies and via trusted local and foreign news media organizations.
The authorities were aiming to circulate up-to-date information so that the public could respond to any threats in a clear and rational manner, reports said.
Minister of Health Professor Dr Eksavang Vongvichit said suspected cases of Ebola infection would be tested at hospitals in conjunction with the surveillance team at the Vientiane-based Centre for Laboratory and Epidemiology.
The centre will work with the city's Pasteur Institute to test samples at a secure laboratory with test results to be known five to seven hours after arriving for analysis.
Some 15,935 cases Ebola cases have been reported in eight countries since the outbreak began, resulting in 5,689 reported deaths mostly in Sierra Leone, Liberia and Guinea, according to figures issued by the World Health Organization on Thursday.
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