Al-Belbeisi: We are monitoring Ebola developments and tightening surveillance on arrivals.. and Coronavirus cases are limited
Amman3 min read
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The President of the National Center for Epidemics and Communicable Diseases Control, Adel Al-Belbeisi, confirmed that the epidemiological situation in Jordan is normal, with limited Coronavirus cases recorded among those tested, while the center is monitoring developments in the Ebola virus outbreak, in conjunction with preparations for the respiratory virus season, which is expected to see an increase in influenza cases after the 43rd week of the year.
Al-Belbeisi explained that epidemiological data indicate that the influenza and RSV season usually begins in the 43rd week of the year, and infections continue to increase throughout the end of the year and the beginning of the new year.
Regarding the availability of the influenza vaccine for free, he explained that vaccines included in the national immunization program are provided for free, while the influenza vaccine has not yet been included in the program, calling on the private sector and insurance companies to consider including it under the health insurance umbrella due to its positive impact on them.
Corona.. Limited cases among those tested
Al-Belbeisi said that Jordan records between 2 and 4 Coronavirus cases weekly among people undergoing testing, explaining that the rate of infection among those tested ranges between 2% and 3%.
He added that these rates are considered normal compared to the periods that witnessed a widespread outbreak of the virus during the pandemic, when the rate of infection among those tested reached about 35%.
He pointed out that the recorded numbers reflect the results of the tests conducted and do not necessarily represent all cases existing in the Kingdom, as not everyone who develops respiratory symptoms goes to get tested.
Ebola.. Monitoring developments in Kenya and Congo
Regarding the Ebola virus, Al-Belbeisi said that the outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has recorded about 1,000 cases, compared to nearly 500 deaths, indicating a high mortality rate of about 50%.
He confirmed that the center is monitoring the situation in Kenya, and that health authorities there are taking measures to control the outbreak.
He pointed out that Jordan has instructions and procedures for dealing with suspected cases at airports and border crossings, including assessing the case and taking necessary measures when an infection is suspected.
He added that the entry of arrivals from the Democratic Republic of the Congo is subject to precautionary measures, explaining that people arriving from there are subject to applicable restrictions, while Jordanians returning from there are allowed to return provided they are subjected to a 21-day quarantine, which is the approved period for monitoring the potential appearance of disease symptoms.
He stressed that surveillance and quarantine measures aim to prevent the transmission of the infection to the Kingdom, confirming that the center is following epidemiological developments in coordination with the relevant health authorities, and that any development requiring additional measures will be dealt with according to risk assessment.
