healthmedicinet

Health Minister Rona Ambrose says the federal government will dispatch more quarantine officers at Canada’s airports to screen for Ebola.

The new measure is part of an additional $30.5 million investment by the Canadian government in the global fight against the outbreak which has affected countries in West Africa.

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“We’re here today to announce further support for preparedness here at home and new medical counter measures in the global fight against the outbreak,” Ambrose said during an announcement in Winnipeg on Monday.

Canada’s contribution of $30.5 million includes:

• $1 million to deploy new quarantine officers to Canada’s airports.
• $3 million to help front-line workers with training and equipment.
• $23.5 million for research and development of Ebola vaccines and other treatments.
• $3 million to further support the World Health Organization.

Ambrose said she had another meeting with Canada’s provincial and territorial health ministers where they discussed training for front-line workers.

“Today we are investing $1 million to deploy additional public health agency quarantine officers to Canadian airports to better identify and manage potential Ebola cases.”

“In order to further strengthen Canada’s readiness at home, we’re also making available $3 million in funding to enhance community health preparedness, including supporting the provinces and territories in the delivery of infection control training and equipment,” Ambrose said on Monday.

Ambrose said the government will also launch a new Ebola public awareness campaign this month.

The health minister was joined by Dr. Gregory Taylor, the chief public health officer, and Dr. Judith Bossé, the assistant deputy minister for infectious disease prevention and control.

Officials noted there are currently no cases of Ebola in Canada.

Conservative MP Eve Adams, who works as the parliamentary secretary to the health minister, told the Commons during question period on Monday that Canada has shipped all of the personal protective equipment it has promised to the West African countries affected by the Ebola outbreak.

This includes equipment such as gloves, masks and gowns.