GOVERNMENT REASSURES PUBLIC OVER EBOLA CONCERNS

The Cayman Islands Government(CIG) has confirmed that Friday evening’s cancelled inbound BA flight from London via the Bahamas will now arrive in Cayman today Saturday. All passengers bound for the Cayman Islands aboard the British Airways flight from London have been released having been screened by Bahamian authorities. This was as a result of two Nassau-bound passengers being identified of having recent travel history to the Democratic Republic of Congo; these passengers were subsequently placed in isolation.

The Government wishes to reassure the public that there is no immediate risk to the Cayman Islands community. The public is asked to remain calm, avoid speculation and rely on official Government communications for accurate and timely information.

Chief Medical Officer Dr. Hilary Wolf offered the following assurance: "Based on the information available to us, the risk to the Cayman Islands public remains low. Our teams have been in close coordination with Bahamian health authorities throughout this process. We are confident that all appropriate public health protocols will be in place ahead of passengers’ arrival in Grand Cayman."

In preparation for the arrivals, the Ministry of Health, Environment and Sustainability, the Public Health Department and the Cayman Islands Customs and Border Control (CBC) have implemented enhanced screening and surveillance measures at Owen Roberts International Airport (ORIA). These measures apply to all incoming flights and specifically to those passengers travelling from the Bahamas, and will include increased monitoring of travellers arriving from affected areas and additional health screening questions for persons who have recently travelled from countries with active Ebola outbreaks. Passengers will also be provided with written guidance on what to do if they develop symptoms and how to access health services.

Honourable Nickolas DaCosta, Minister with responsibility for the Cayman Islands Customs and Border Control, provided the following context on what the public can expect at the airport: "From a border operations standpoint, the travelling public should expect a smooth and efficient experience through passport control. We continue to work with Public Health to implement appropriate measures and our officers will continue to process passengers as quickly as possible. We ask for the public's patience and cooperation as our top priority remains the safety and wellbeing of our community."

The Cayman Islands Government will continue to monitor the situation closely and work in partnership with all relevant authorities to safeguard the health and safety of the Cayman Islands community. A further update will be issued as the situation develops.

ABOUT EBOLA VIRUS DISEASE

Ebola is a viral illness transmitted through direct contact with the bodily fluids of an infected individual. Importantly, a person infected with Ebola cannot spread the virus until they develop symptoms. Symptoms may include fever, severe headache, muscle pain, fatigue, vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain and unexplained bleeding or bruising.

Travellers play an important role in protecting public health. Anyone who has recently travelled to an affected area and feels unwell, or believes they may have been exposed to Ebola Virus Disease, is asked to inform Customs and Border Control or Public Health personnel upon arrival. Early reporting helps reduce the risk of transmission and supports a timely public health response. Travellers experiencing symptoms should seek medical attention immediately and inform healthcare personnel of their recent travel history.