MONROVIA, November 20 (LINA) - The Ministry of Health and Social Welfare has issued regulations as the nation goes through political campaigning in readiness for the Special Senatorial Election on December 16, in the face of the Ebola outbreak.

According to the regulation released Thursday, it shall be the duty of every citizen, resident or legal personality in Liberia to report any sick person within his or her household.

The directive notes that a person in any community suspected of or displaying symptoms of the Ebola virus should be reported to the nearest local health facility or authority.

The regulation describes symptoms of the Ebola Virus as elevated body temperature, fever, vomiting, running stomach, persistent headache, bodily pains, skin rash, bleeding, and red eyes.

The Ministry said until the government declares that Liberia is Ebola free, any and all deaths occurring in household or communities shall be reported to the local health authorities, head of family, and household or community leaders for onward reporting to healthcare facilities or authorities.

The guideline also said any person who acquires knowledge of an unusual sickness or mortality among animals and birds, including in particular monkeys and bats, should immediately report the fact to the nearest local health authority, local health facility, head of family, community or responsible person by the most expeditious means.

President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf in an address to the nation Wednesday on the eve of the campaign season emphasized that the Ministry of Health would come up with the legitimate regulation that everyone will strictly abide by.

She said while it is important to uphold our democratic tenets, it is also binding on all politicians, voters and others to avoid playing doctor by attending to the sick and the dead.
LINA