By CHARITY MOONGA –

THE Government has installed fixed thermal scanners at two major international airports to detect Ebola patients.
In a statement issued by Ministry of Health acting spokesperson Dennis Mulenga, the installing of scanners was among other preventive measures to detect any traveller with raised temperature that may be caused by the virus.
Dr Mulenga said the Government had installed a fixed thermal scanner at Kenneth Kaunda International Airport.
He said the installation of a similar scanner at Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe International Airport in Ndola was near completion.
Dr Mulenga said the Government had continued to be vigilant and had heightened its surveillance at all points of entry to prevent the spread of Ebola into the country.
He said Zambia had not recorded a case of Ebola of late and had never recorded any in her history.
Dr Mulenga appealed to members of the public to maintain high levels of hygiene and cleanliness remain vigilant and alert and report any suspected cases of Ebola to relevant authorities.
He said the scanners were in addition to portable hand-held thermal scanners that were bought earlier and distributed to border posts.
Travel from and to Ebola-hit countries remains restricted until further notice.
The Government has also introduced a toll-free line 909 (on all networks) for those seeking more information on the disease.
Preventive text messages would also be sent to members of the public through mobile phones on all networks to alert members of the public on how to protect themselves against the disease.
The Government has also signed Statutory Instrument (SI) number 49 that compels health workers to report any suspected Ebola cases to relevant authorities and has printed materials on Ebola.
Recently, the World Health Organisation (WHO) donated assorted Ebola preparedness supplies worth US$50,000 to the Zambian Government.
Among the donated items were hand sprays and personal protective equipment (PPEs).