Davao City prepares against the Ebola Pandemic

DAVAO CITY, Oct 21 (PIA) Mayor Rodrigo Duterte urged health authorities to explain what Ebola virus is all about and how the city is prepared to handle it once the pandemic occurs in the city.

He said the city needs to define its course of action against the disease.

“We need to be prepared even before the pandemic enters the country,” Duterte said.

He stressed the country cannot close itself from the entry of foreigners since other countries maintain an open door for entry of people.

Duterte said putting up thermal detectors in the points of entry like airports and sea ports is not enough since the ebola virus manifests its presence in the human body after a 21-day incubation period.

“The long incubation period makes the detection of the virus difficult,” he said.

Duterte called for a discussion with local health authorities Tuesday on the Ebola virus at the Marco Polo Hotel.

Dr. Josephine Villafuerte, chief of the City Health Office said Mayor Rodrigo Duterte wants to have a massive information drive against the Ebola.

She warned that the residents must be aware of the disease since it is highly contagious.

Villafuerte stressed that the isolation ward at the Southern Philippines Medical Center must have protective equipment to assure the safety of medical workers while treating persons who might be positive of the disease. (PIA 11-Joey Sem Dalumpines)