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Paidamoyo Chipunza Health Reporter
Over 800 people from different countries in West Africa have so far been screened for Ebola and went through the 21 days surveillance for any possible symptoms, Health and Child Care Secretary Dr Gerald Gwinji has said.Addressing captains of industry in Harare during a meeting organised by Econet Wireless Zimbabwe to raise funds for the country’s preparedness towards Ebola recently, Dr Gwinji said Zimbabwe would not impose any travel ban for people coming from the affected countries, but instead will continue screening them for the disease.

Of those screened so far, 529 were from Nigeria, 211 from the Democratic Republic of Congo, 65 from Sierra Leone, 41 from Liberia, four from Guinea and two from Senegal.

“This required intensive follow up even if they go to rural areas we have to send teams in those rural settings to go and look at these individuals,” said Dr Gwinji.

He said the numbers will continue to grow because there is no ban on travel hence people will continue coming to Zimbabwe.

Dr Gwinji said travel restrictions would only be applied in few specific instances when the travellers are coming from an active outbreak area.

He said the risk of Ebola striking Zimbabwe was real, but minimal.

“The risk is real, but it is still low,” Dr Gwinji. “We are aware how the world has become a global village and how easy one can move in a couple of hours from one corner of the world to another and therefore it is prudent that we treat ourselves as part of that global village and be ready to deal with Ebola.”

Ebola outbreak started in December last year in Guinea before spreading to its border countries Sierra Leone and Liberia.

Imported sporadic cases were also reported in Spain, the United States, Nigeria and Senegal, but were managed before spreading to other people in the affected countries.

At least 13 000 Ebola cases have been recorded in Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone, with 5 100 deaths.

According to WHO, if one gets Ebola, chances of them surviving are 50 percent or less.