Maldives on Ebola alert

The Maldives health ministry Monday issued an alert advising people to take preventive measures against the dangerous Ebola virus which is spreading across West African countries, a statement said.

The health alert issued by the ministry stated that health authorities were working in collaboration with the immigration department to monitor passengers traveling from countries infected with Ebola virus, Xinhua reported.

A cure has not yet been found for the deadly virus, which can be transmitted with ease from person-to-person by means of blood, bodily fluids, or by sharing sharp objects such as syringe needles with a person infected with the virus.

The World Health Organization (WHO) says it is likely that there are more ways through which this virus may be spreading.

A WHO survey showed that more than 1,200 people have been infected and more than 600 killed by the virus. Symptoms of the disease become visible within two to 21 days of infection. Early symptoms include fever, body ache, weakness, nausea and a neck pain.

The WHO has issued a health alert advising people not to travel to countries where the virus is spreading.

In addition to the health alert issued for the Ebola outbreak, another alert was also issued for the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS) which is spreading in the Arabian peninsula. This includes Saudi Arabia, from where a large number of Maldivians continue to come back after performing Umrah.