South Sudan’s health ministry announced its set of measures on protecting the population from the deadly coronavirus. The African country will step up surveillance for SARS-like virus at all the points of entry including Juba International Airport.
The authorities in South Sudan reported their readiness to protect people from virus originated in China. Similar to South Sudan, many countries are exposed to coronavirus that Beijing on Wednesday warned it could spread during the travel season.
As of Friday, the deadly coronavirus has so far been detected in the United States, Taiwan, Japan, Thailand and South Korea. This has prompted other governments to enhance fever checks at the airports to prevent the virus dissemination.
As South Sudan’s Health Minister Riek Gai Kok said, the passengers entering the country in Juba will undergo thorough screening for the SARS-like virus before being allowed into the African country.
”We are working with the Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation to establish screening at major points of entry, including Juba Airport as a priority,” Riek Gai Kok said.
According to the health minister, there is no coronavirus identified in South Sudan but vigilance should be maintained. In that regard, the public was advised to ensure regular washing of hands with soap and water, and hand rubbing with alcohol if available. In addition, Gai urged the public to adhere to the WHO guidelines.
The WHO representative in South Sudan, Dr Olushayo Oluseun said South Sudan should be vigilant following the confirmation of the outbreak of coronavirus in China.
“We will continue to support the country with risk assessment and surveillance … we should bring in addition equipment to support screening at the points of entry,” Dr Olushayo said.
