Local Ebola plan in place
Health minister and territory's top doc lay out response to an unlikely event
Elaine Anselmi
Northern News Services
Published Friday, October 31, 2014
SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
Between 30 and 50 travellers per week are moving between Canada and the three West African countries stricken with Ebola, but Dr. Andre Corriveau, chief public health officer, said none are known to reside in the Northwest Territories.
Dr. Andre Corriveau, chief public health officer, left, and Glen Abernethy, minister of health and social services, provided an update on procedures around Ebola response in the NWT. - Elaine Anselmi/NNSL photo |
Along with Corriveau, Glen Abernethy, minister of health and social services, provided an update on the GNWT's planned response in the unlikely event that a case of Ebola is diagnosed in the territory.
"To confirm and to be clear, we do not have any cases of Ebola in Canada or the Northwest Territories at this time," said Abernethy during a press conference Tuesday.
"Since we first learned of the outbreak in West Africa the federal, provincial and territorial ministers have worked closely to ensure that we are prepared and ready in the event of an Ebola case
in Canada."
The Ebola outbreak is currently active in Libya, Sierra Leone and Guinea, and although individual cases have presented elsewhere, including in North America, Corriveau said the outbreak remains restricted to those three West African countries.
"When the system reacts appropriately and promptly those cases do not result in an outbreak; there is no further transmission," said Corriveau.
"That's really where we need to focus our attention is having the right response."
The health authority does not currently have the resources to treat Ebola, but Abernethy said if a case of Ebola were to emerge in the NWT, a Memorandum of Understanding between the federal government, provinces and territories will see that resources, personnel and expenses are shared.
Four hospitals have been identified to deal with Ebola cases in Alberta and would take on any cases from the NWT - two in Edmonton and two in Calgary, said Corriveau.
Only certain aircraft carriers are able to transport high-risk cases such as Ebola, and Abernethy said if needed, the GNWT would work with the federal government on accessing one of the two specialized planes that are based in the U.S.
Federal, provincial and territorial ministers held a teleconference on Monday to discuss readiness in case the deadly virus makes its way into Canada, and measures in place to prevent its spread.
"All travellers coming from one of the affected countries are now being screened and assessed by the federal quarantine officer at its ports of entry," said Abernethy.
"Anyone who is symptomatic (carrying the virus but shows now symptoms) will be hospitalized immediately for further investigations. Asymptomatic travellers will be required to report within 24 hours to the local health authority, who will arrange for daily monitoring until the end of the 21-day incubation period."
Travellers are being assessed based on risk level - Corriveau said the health authority would encourage high-risk travellers to remain at their port of entry for the 21-day period, rather than continuing on to the NWT where resources are limited.
At all of the territory's eight health authorities, Abernethy said procedures are in place to comply with standards for infection control.
"Our nurses and front line staff are key in our response and preparedness of each of our regions," said Abernethy.
As well as the necessary equipment, training and rehearsal of procedures, Abernethy said Corriveau would also provide direct clinical support to staff, where needed.
While a plan is in place if necessary, Abernethy emphasized the unlikeliness of an outbreak in NWT and urged residents away from false information circulating on social media about the virus.
"The chances are very slim that we will see an Ebola case in the Northwest Territories," said Abernethy.
"Our best action to keep the Northwest Territories and Canada Ebola free is to provide support to those aid organizations on the ground, in West Africa. If residents want to help eradicate Ebola, organizations like the Red Cross and Doctors Without Borders have good websites where making a donation is very simple."
