Air passengers arriving in Bermuda who have recently visited countries that have been affected by the Ebola virus will be subjected to health screening.

Authorities at LF Wade International Airport will also review passengers’ travel history as part of a series of measures to prevent an outbreak in Bermuda.

Health Minister Jeanne Atherden announced today that the Bermuda Government would not impose a travel ban from countries with Ebola, but said that a ban had not been ruled out.

She urged residents to avoid non-essential travel to Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone in light of the Ebola outbreak in West Africa.

“The airport authorities will be reviewing the travel history of incoming passengers, and if you are entering Bermuda from a country with an ongoing Ebola outbreak, the Customs officer on duty will direct you to a Public Health professional who will provide you with additional health information and advice,” Ms Atherden said.

“The Public Health professional will see all travellers who have been to countries with an active Ebola outbreak in the past 21 days, give them a brief health screening and take their contact information for follow-up as required.

“Travellers who do not appear to be sick upon arrival in Bermuda with a travel history to countries with an active Ebola outbreak will be asked to provide local contact information and will be referred for active monitoring by the community health nurse during their stay on Island, or for 21 days, whichever is longer.

“I would like to advise the public not to be alarmed when the customs officer asks you about your travel history and would encourage you to answer truthfully.”

Ms Atherden confirmed that there had been no cases of Ebola in Bermuda and said that the Bermuda Hospitals Board had established an Ebola management plan.

“In the event of a case of Ebola on Island, 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,” the Health Minister added.

“The new Emergency Department also has isolation rooms and all patients arriving at the Emergency Department or the Urgent Care Centre are now asked about their travel over the last three weeks.”

Ms Atherden told the press conference today: “While Bermuda has not ruled out establishing a travel ban for countries with active Ebola transmission, it is important for the public to realise that travel bans can give rise to a false sense of security.

“They alone cannot eliminate the risk of exposure of the population to Ebola. Local residents are exempt from travel bans and can import the disease as a result of their travels. Therefore, individual responsibility for protecting yourself and our Island from Ebola is essential.

“Bermuda residents should avoid non-essential travel to countries with active transmission of Ebola.”