MONROVIA January 5 (LINA)-A Professor of International Health, Hans Rosling, has said  the reopening of schools as announced by government should not be seen as a sign that Liberia is free from the Ebola virus.

He added: “Rather it should be seen as a means to increase response and surveillance so that the virus does not resurface.”
 
He made the statement at the Ministry of Information daily Ebola press conference held at the Ministry in Monrovia on Monday.
 
Rosling noted that Liberians have acquired sufficient knowledge in the prevention of the Ebola virus, adding that he is in full support of government’s effort to reopen schools in the country.
 
According to Rosling, if Liberians redouble their efforts in preventing further transmissions, the disease will be eradicated from the country soon.
 
Rosling who is on a special assignment in Liberia with the United Nations Mission for Ebola Emergency Response (UNMEER), noted that the Ebola virus cannot  be transmitted during the first  24 hours of infection; therefore the reopening of schools will not lead to an outbreak as many fear.
 
He then appealed to all Liberians, especially parents, not to allow their children to go to school when they are showing signs of fever or other illnesses.
 
He also cautioned Liberians to assist the country in the process of dropping Ebola cases to “Zero” by refraining from complacent behaviors which might cause the virus to resurface.
LINA