IMS head Tolbert Nyenswah’s announcement comes days after Guinea and Sierra Leone, which share common boundaries with Liberia, reported a cumulative total of 31 new cases of the Ebola virus which has claimed over 10,000 lives in the Mano River region.

Addressing the regular Ministry of Information press conference Thursday, Nyenswah informed Liberians that with news of the upsurge of the virus in Guinea and Sierra Leone, the IMS has stepped up its surveillance at border points to ensure the safety of Liberians.

Nyenswah pointed out that as a result of the gains made by Liberia in eradicating the disease it remains an obligation for Liberia to offer assistance and expertise to Guinea and Sierra Leone so that they can overcome the disease.

He wants Liberians traveling to and from the two affected countries to submit to health and travel measures which are intended to prevent the spread of the disease.

It has been one month two days since the World Health Organization (WHO) on May 9 this year declared Liberia Ebola-free after the country met all the established criteria prescribed by the WHO.

From more than 20,000 cases in what has been described as the world’s worst Ebola outbreak and the greatest public health threat ever witnessed by this generation, the three Mano River nations of Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone reported more than 10,000 deaths from the disease.

Liberia accounted for a little over 4,000 deaths, 192 of which were health workers.

The Ebola epidemic, which also rendered more than 3,000 Liberian children orphans, has also left more than 1,500 survivors who are currently living with complications ranging from poor eye sight, impotency and numbness of the feet, among other side effects.
LINA WSG/TSS/PTK