Bahamas Isolates Two Travellers As Caribbean States Heighten Ebola Watch

Caribbean Community governments are increasing health checks and public information efforts as they try to keep Ebola from reaching the region, with The Bahamas taking the lead after two European arrivals were separated from other passengers in Nassau.

The travellers were identified as a British citizen who lives in Australia and a French national from France. Health authorities placed them in special isolation after they landed at the main international airport in the Bahamian capital over the weekend.

Officials said the pair had travelled often to the Democratic Republic of the Congo and showed signs of fever after arriving on a British Air flight from London carrying more than 200 people. Every passenger was checked for possible illness, but doctors kept the two men apart while their condition was observed.

Authorities emphasised that the men were not known to have gone into areas affected by Ebola. Still, more than 40 passengers who sat beside them or nearby are being monitored more closely as a precaution.

“All relevant infection prevention and control measures are being implemented,” Chief Medical Officer Jillian Bartlett told reporters. “No confirmed infections have been identified at this time. Based on the information currently provided to the ministry of health and wellness, the risk to the public is low. The ministry will continue its monitoring and evaluation protocols and provide updates as needed. The two passengers in question reportedly had a travel history which placed them in the Democratic Republic of Congo for approximately three weeks before traveling on to Ethiopia and then to The Bahamas. Upon the flight’s arrival in New Providence the ministry of health and wellness immediately implemented its health protocol, which included placing the two passengers in isolation. Subsequently, the other passengers and crew on board the flight were assessed.”

In Antigua, Prime Minister Gaston Browne, who was recently returned to office, said his government had cancelled a special Air Peace service from Nigeria that had been scheduled to arrive this week.

Browne also said Antigua is getting ready to introduce temporary restrictions on travel from African areas where international health agencies are battling the Ebola outbreak.