Ebola, active surveillance of staff of organisations from Congo and Uganda
The ministry: 'it is deemed necessary to apply vigilance measures against the staff of governmental and non-governmental organisations, and cooperators, employed in the country affected by the outbreak, from all territories of the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda'
"In view of the current uncertainties regarding the magnitude and geographic spread" of the Bundibugyo virus Ebola disease outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo, with cases also reported in Uganda, "the potential severity of the infection and the lack of approved specific therapies or vaccines for the Bundibugyo virus, in observance of the principle of utmost caution, it is deemed necessary to apply vigilance measures towards the staff of governmental, non-governmental organisations, and cooperators, employed in the country affected by the outbreak, from all territories of the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda'.
Circular for health workers and NGOs
This is what a circular issued by the Ministry of Health envisages for health and non-health workers employed in cooperation and health or logistical support activities in NGOs and other organisations active in the areas affected by the outbreak, and for cooperators providing health, welfare and logistical services, employed in the same areas.
Health declaration form to be filled in
In the document, signed by the head of the Department of Prevention, Research and Health Emergencies Maria Rosaria Campitiello, a health declaration form is attached, 'essential for tracking the incoming person for public health purposes', to be signed by the person in charge of the organisation, or of the individual project, in the case of NGO or other organisations' staff, and to be sent to the Ministry of Health at least 48 hours before departure from the affected area. The form 'must report - following self-declaration by the cooperator - that he/she is symptom-free'.
The medical history sheet
An anamnestic form is also enclosed for the recording of the primary screening data, to be filled in directly by the incoming person and the doctor of the territorially competent maritime, air and border health office Usmaf-Sasn.
In the event that the cooperator returns to Italia by means that do not include airport entry (trains, buses, own car), the same form must be filled in by the doctor of the reference Asl with the information acquired at the time of activation of the surveillance, the circular explains.
