File: Players of the ”FC Gberedou Abobo” football team poses with a sign reading ”Stop ebola in Africa” prior to a football tournament gathering youth from Guinea near the Koumassi sports center in Abidjan on August 10, 2014. West Africa was counting the cost of measures to contain the deadly Ebola epidemic on August 10, as unprecedented restrictions caused snarled transport, food shortages and soaring prices. AFP PHOTO
Air passengers from the three West African countries hardest hit by Ebola will be screened at Brazilian airports, the authorities announced on Saturday.
The Health Minister, Arthur Chioro, told a press conference in Brasilia.
“The passengers from Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone must undergo a body temperature check and claim their health status at airports.
“They will also be given a pamphlet with information on the symptoms of Ebola virus and where to seek medical attention in Brazil in case they come up with any signs of the disease.
“The measures are already in place at Brazil’s busiest airport – Guarulhos, in Sao Paulo.
“As there are no direct flights to Brazil from West Africa, the risk of an Ebola disease outbreak in the South American nation is extremely low,’’ Chioro said, adding that they will be extended to other airports in Brazil.
He dismissed the possibility of implementing stricter controls, such as travel bans, to the affected countries or bans on passengers from those countries.
However, there have been two suspected cases of Ebola in Brazil, but both tested negative.
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