By Leilani S. Junio
MANILA, Nov. 7 (PNA) — The Department of Health (DOH) said Friday that the Filipino peacekeeping forces who will be returning next week from Liberia, one of the West African countries affected by the dreadful Ebola virus disease (EVD), will be placed in a quarantine facility at the Caballo Island near Corregidor.
DOH spokesperson Lyndon Lee-Suy said the peacekeepers would stay in the quarantine area for 21 days before they can be allowed to rejoin their families.
“If ever there will be detected patients with EVD, we will immediately assist in transporting them to the accredited DOH facility that we earlier identified as part of the procedures and preparation in the containment of EVD,” Dr. Lee-Suy told the Philippines News Agency in an interview after a press briefing held at the Philippine Air Force Officers’ Club at Villamor Air Base in Pasay City.
He, however, clarified that the 21-day quarantine period is just a “safe process” that the peacekeepers will undergo as a way to ensure that preventive measures are properly observed in keeping the country EVD-free or will be in control in the event EVD patients will be detected.
In the same press briefing, DOH Acting Secretary Janette L. Garin explained what is EVD, its symptoms, danger of having it, and how it is transmitted so that the public and the health workers will know how to prevent themselves from being infected.
“However, the public must understand also that coming from the West African countries, where there were reported cases of outbreak of EVD, does not mean that they have acquired it,” Dr. Garin said.
She likewise said that the people must also understand the purpose of the 21-day quarantine period.
“The quarantine period is not only meant to protect the returning peacekeeper or potential EVD patient but also for the family as well so that if ever there will be detection of EVD, he/she cannot spread it,” she added.
Also present in the same press briefing was President Benigno S. Aquino III who said that Caballo Island will serve as a quarantine facility wherein the peacekeepers will be observed by military doctors and health personnel.
The DOH, for its part, will also be deploying its health workers to assist them in observing the returning peacekeepers during their stay at the island.
Dr. Garin assured that the returning peacekeepers will definitely enjoy their stay at the beautiful island.
The doctors that will be observing the peacekeepers within the quarantine period will not be required to wear personal protective equipment (PPEs) during the observation period.
The peacekeepers are scheduled to arrive in the country on November 11. (PNA)