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Centre to screen passengers for zika virus at BIA
View(s):A monitoring centre to screen passengers infected with the zika virus, spreading fast in Latin American countries, is to be set up at the Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) with the assistance of the World Health Orgnisation (WHO).
Country representative of the WHO in Sri Lanka, Dr. Jacob Kumaresan, told the Sunday Times that they have offered technical and expertise support to Sri Lanka for the establishment of the centre.
The offer came during a meeting with the Health Ministry officials in Colombo on Wednesday.
“We will be working jointly with the epidemiology unit and in the coming weeks we will be having more discussions on the issue,” he said.
He said an international forum was held in Geneva this week to discuss the possible threat. Sri Lanka was represented by Director General of Health, Dr. Palitha Mahipala.
Secretary to the Ministry of Health Anura Jayawickrama told the Sunday Times that the Health Ministry quarantine division would co-ordinate with the BIA’s quarantine division regarding the precautions taken.
He said the Ministry will be co-ordinating with the WHO to get further information regarding the virus as scientific information about it was still sketchy.
So far no warnings have been issued to those travelling to affected countries.
However, the Indian Medical Association has issued an advisory asking pregnant women to avoid visiting Latin America.
Head of the epidemiology unit Dr. Paba Palihawadana told the Sunday Times that though there were no reports about this particular virus spreading in Sri Lanka, people should take precautions to prevent mosquito bites.