International concern is mounting over the widening health crisis of Ebola, prompting a notice from the Ministry of Health that no cases have occurred on the Island — and that Bermuda will be protected.

A Ministry spokesman said exercises involving “multiple agencies” are underway to coordinate readiness against the deadly virus, which yesterday claimed the life of the first person diagnosed with the disease in the US.

“At this time, there are no general bans on international travel and trade,” he added. “However, the Ministry advises the public to avoid non- essential travel to locations where an outbreak of Ebola is occurring.”

The African outbreak is spreading in Guinea, Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Democratic Republic of Congo, with localised cases reported in Nigeria and Senegal — countries with no direct air links with the Island.

But with Ebola demonstrating the ability to travel on board aircraft, US authorities have announced that passenger screening measures are to be adopted in five major US airports, including New York JFK, Newark and Atlanta — busy hubs for travel to the Island. Chicago’s O’Hare and Washington Dulles face closer inspections of travellers.

Staff at LF Wade International Airport have also received training, the Ministry spokesman said. Drills and airport assessments have been held since September 4, and travel health advisories will “shortly” be issued to arriving passengers, the spokesman said.

Last night, airport general manager Aaron Adderley told The Royal Gazette: “Whilst there are no direct scheduled flights from the high risk zone in West Africa, Bermuda is still geographically positioned to serve as an alternate airport for flight diversions that could originate out of that region.

“As such, for a flight looking to divert to Bermuda seeking medical attention for a passenger or crew member exhibiting fever or infectious symptoms, per the direction of Department of Health officials, the Airport has issued a notice to the operators of commercial, private and military aircraft advising that Bermuda should not be considered as a diversion stop unless of course, the individual’s condition is life threatening.”

Meanwhile, the health spokesman said regular Ebola updates are posed on the Government’s website and Facebook page, adding that the Ministry is closely in contact with international and regional health advisors. Bermuda officials follow the latest advice from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO).

Advisors from the latter organisation will pay Bermuda a technical assistance visit next week, and the Ministry has held “approximately weekly teleconference planning sessions” with PAHO since September 8. Local officials are exchanging readiness tips with the Caribbean Public Health Agency.

The mid-month technical mission from PAHO will include presentations to local doctors and the healthcare community, plus training for Health Department staff in outbreak investigation.

Added the spokesman: “In the coming months, Bermuda will be hosting large gatherings of international visitors. Collaboration with the relevant event planners and hospitality industry partners is occurring to coordinate the public health support to all large conferences and gatherings.

“Finally, and most importantly, the public must be reminded that preventing outbreaks of any serious infectious disease is a complex undertaking and requires the cooperation of each member of the public.”

The Ministry cautioned for the public to:

* Avoid all non-essential travel to areas currently affected by the Ebola outbreak.

* Avoid travelling when ill.

* Seek medical attention immediately should you take ill following a journey abroad.

* Advise your healthcare professional of your travel history.

King Edward VII Memorial Hospital has an outbreak plan in place, and isolation rooms capable of accommodating cases of Ebola, a spokeswoman said.

“Bermuda Hospitals Board has established an Ebola management plan based on guidelines from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and World Health Organization. A BHB Ebola Preparedness Sub-Committee has been meeting regularly and coordinates with the Department of Health. In the event of a known case of Ebola, there are isolation resources available in the hospital’s Intensive Care Unit, and there is an outbreak plan that could be scaled up to involve the Urgent Care Centre, if necessary. Our new Emergency Department also has isolation rooms and all patients presenting to ED or the Urgent Care Centre are now asked about their travel over the last three weeks.”