GOB says suspected Ebola cruise passenger never set foot in Belize

Published by Patrick Jones at October 16, 2014

Tags

Posted: Thursday, October 16, 2014. 11:56 pm CST.

Belize Flag

Thursday, October 16, 2014. PATRICK E. JONES Reporting: Prime Minister Dean Barrow is scheduled to address the Belizean people via a press conference on Friday in the wake of a situation involving a cruise ship passenger potentially infected Ebola.

A government statement issued late Thursday night says that “the government of Belize was contacted by officers of the US government and made aware of a cruise ship passenger considered of very low risk for Ebola.”

The Belize government statement said that the cruise ship passenger had “voluntarily entered quarantine on board the ship and remains free of any fever or other symptoms of the illness.”

While rumours ran wild in social media earlier on Thursday night, the government release made clear that “out of an abundance of caution, the Government of Belize decided not to facilitate a US request for assistance in evacuating the passenger through the Philip Goldson International Airport.”

It is to be noted, that, as pointed out in the official statement, the passenger suspected of “very low risk for Ebola” did not set foot in Belize and remained in voluntary quarantine on board the cruise ship.

Belize government officials say they will remain in contact with their United States counterparts and stands firm by the position that “when even the smallest doubt remains, we will ensure the health and safety of the Belizean people.”

During Friday’s press conference, Prime Minister Dean Barrow will seek “to further address any concerns that may arise” from Thursday’s incident.

We’ll keep you posted.

Advertise with the mоѕt vіѕіtеd nеwѕ ѕіtе іn Belize ~ We offer fully customizable and flexible digital marketing packages. Your content is delivered instantly to thousands of users in Belize and abroad! Contact us at mаrkеtіng@brеаkіngbеlіzеnеwѕ.соm or call us at 501-612-0315.