Research center ready to respond to Ebola

MANILA, Philippines (Xinhua) - A government-run research institute for infectious diseases is now more prepared to respond to the Ebola virus disease (EVD), a senior government official said today.

Department of Health (DOH) Secretary Enrique Ona said the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine (RITM), which is the Philippine National Reference Center for Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Diseases, has become better equipped.

The RITM has rapid detection technology, laboratory, hospital facilities, and trained personnel in responding to the threat of new infectious disease agents, he said.

He said that the institute was in the forefront of battling global threats like the SARS Coronavirus in 2003, the Pandemic Influenza H1N1 and Ebola-Reston in 2009.

As part of the government's preparation for the possible entry of EVD in the country, RITM has developed a triage system for suspected cases of EVD, Ona said.  

"Patient screening and evaluation as well as infection control practices are in place. First-line health workers in the management of cases are being trained in the donning and removing of personal protective equipment," the DOH chief said.