Pacific

Samoa boosts Ebola screening

17:15 pm on 31 October 2014

Samoa's Ministry of Health says it is looking to boost its border control and is preparing a new health declaration form which will alert authorities to anyone arriving with symptoms of viruses such as Ebola.

The Director General of Health, Leausa Dr Take Naseri, says he is also maintaining preparations for Ebola, in place since July, prior to hosting the international Small Island Developing States conference.

He says a small room has been set up at the airport for any patient who may need to be isolated immediately and the government is educating staff.

"We are also doing a lot of training working together with National Health Service, training our doctors and staff. So infection control is the main thing we need to look at."

Leausa Dr Take Naseri says if necessary Faleolo hospital could be run as a quarantine space for Ebola patients with the public diverted to other hospitals.