Havana, August 18 (RHC) -- Government authorities in Havana have increased control measures to prevent the possible introduction of Ebola into Cuba and to act immediately if a case is detected in the country. So far, no Cuban has contracted the deadly virus.

The Ministry of Public Health (MINSAP) and other agencies remain on alert and with extra vigilance on passengers arriving in Cuba from risk countries. Likewise, the Pedro Kouri Institute of Tropical Medicine in Havana is fully prepared to receive and treat people who may be diagnosed with Ebola, health officials said on Saturday.

MINSAP managers in the areas of epidemiology, disease control and international medical cooperation met with representatives of the press to draw a picture of the epidemiological situation and insist on preventive control of Ebola within and beyond national borders.

The airlines have taken the corresponding sanitary measures, while at ports and airports monitoring and control actions are in place as well as a series of warnings about the need for personal hygiene and in food handling, both in the home or in their production and sale.

“The observation of African students arriving in Cuba is a health priority,” said Dr. Niurka Molina Aguila, Head of the Department of International Health Controls.

Today, when passengers pass through the airport terminals, they are monitored by a temperature scanner and everyone who arrives in the country with a temperature of more than 37.5 degrees (99.5 F) is monitored to check the temperature manually and a physical exam is conducted if necessary.

To date, no Cuban has contracted Ebola in Cuba or abroad, and the authorities of the Ministry of Public Health have strict controls in place for medical missions serving in West African countries hit by the epidemic.