Tasmania Prepared for Ebola

Tasmania is well prepared to respond should cases of Ebola present in the State.

There is currently a large outbreak of Ebola in three West African countries, Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia, and of the more than 8,000 cases to date nearly half have died.

The World Health Organisation has declared the outbreak in West Africa to be a Public Health Emergency of International Concern.

Tasmania has taken part in national Ebola virus disease preparedness activities since August, including weekly meetings to review and refine Australia’s response measures.

Our health authorities have undertaken careful planning of infection control, medical, nursing, environmental, transport and laboratory aspects if a case arises.

There are safety checks in place at Australia’s international borders for passengers, healthcare professionals and aid workers to identify and screen potential cases.

It is important we stay vigilant and take a careful and measured approach to the risk of Ebola and Tasmanians should be reassured our health authorities are well prepared.
Michael Ferguson, Minister for Health