WHO helps Gambia prevent Ebola

BANJUL (Xinhua) - The World Health Organization (WHO) has equipped Gambian Ministry of Health and Social Welfare with laboratory materials to combat deadly Ebola, Gambia's officials said on Saturday.

"We are supporting the government through its ministry to close ranks against the deadly Ebola which is spreading in West Africa", said Charles Saego Moses, a WHO country Representative in Gambia.

The materials were handed over to the ministry through the ministry deputy permanent secretary Dawda Ceesay, who noted that Gambia should not be complacent, despite that no Ebola case has been detected in the country.

The materials and additional support for the increase of Gambian surveillance system would help in the combat against the disease, Charles Saego Moses said.

The ministry has increased surveillance teams at the border to ensure health check of those going out of and coming into Gambia, Ceesay said.

According to the WHO, more than 3,000 people have been infected with Ebola. On Friday, Senegal, Gambia's neighboring country, confirmed its first case of Ebola, making it the fifth West African country to be affected by the outbreak.