Authorities at the Ministry of Health (MoH) has ordered the immediate enforcement of strengthened infection prevention and control measures.
The measure followed reports of a confirmed Ebola case in Nigeria, and an ongoing Bundibugyo Ebola outbreak.
MoH official release titled: “Immediate Enforcement of Enhanced Infection Prevention and Control Measures Nationwide.”
It was dated on Wednesday, October 21, in Monrovia.
Henceforth, MoH has directed health facilities, border entry points, public buildings, and other institutions to intensify screening, and strengthen preparedness against potential Ebola transmission.
It also instructed all public institutions, and health facilities to provide functional handwashing stations equipped with soap and water, or appropriate hand sanitizers at their entrances to promote proper hygiene, and reduce the risk of infection.
MoH emphasized the need for screening to go beyond temperature checks; required institutions to assess individuals for symptoms, and relevant travel, or exposure histories in accordance with national health guidelines to identify suspected cases promptly.
MoH also called for strict adherence to infection prevention protocols, including regular handwashing, appropriate use of personal protective equipment, environmental cleaning, and safe waste disposal.
Health facilities have been urged to maintain adequate protective supplies and provide refresher training for frontline health workers.
According to the release, suspected Ebola cases must be immediately separated from others, and reported to County Health Teams, and the National Public Health Institute of Liberia (NPHIL).
Suspected patients must also be safely referred through designated reporting channels to ensure timely investigation and an appropriate public health response.
