Port Health Officers trained as part of Eswatini’s preparedness for the Corona Virus

On 29 January 2020, the Ministry of Health, with support from the World Health Organization (WHO), conducted training for Port Health Officers as part of the country’s preparedness plan for the corona virus reported in China in December 2019.

Port Health officers are stationed in different ports of entry into the country including border posts and airports. Their role is to prevent importation of infectious diseases and vectors into the country by inspecting all imported food stuffs and other products coming into the country. About 30 officers from Port Health, including Environmental Health officers who are stationed in the different border posts around the country were equipped with information on the coronavirus and its symptoms. The aim is for them to be able to spot a person suspected to have the disease as they enter into the country. The officials were trained on the use of scanners which are used to detect temperature from people coming into the country.

According to Sipho Shongwe who was part of the team of facilitators of the training held at the UN House in Mbabane, the scanners were distributed to all ports of entry. One scanner has been placed at King Mswati III International airport. At the border posts, officers will use hand scanners. Shongwe said the aim of the workshop was to train Port Health officials on how to use the scanners. He likened Port Health officers as soldiers guarding against any disease that may come from outside to attack the people of Eswatini. He said their duty was to ensure that diseases do not come into the country and report all threats or anything suspicious.

“Any person recording a temperature of above 38 degrees or anyone showing fever and flu symptoms should be isolated and monitored. However, for now we emphasize on social isolation where a person will take responsibility to isolate themselves at home to avoid spreading the disease to others. Worth mentioning is that all family members will then be treated as contacts,” he said. Shongwe said the emergency response (977) will be on standby for any suspected cases to be taken to hospital for further investigation.

Health officials will be provided with masks to prevent themselves from getting the disease. Over 2798 cases had been confirmed in different countries, some of which are health workers. Coronavirus is a zoonotic disease (found in animals) which is usually spread through by droplets (coughing) and unprotected contact with an infected person (touching, shaking hands). Symptoms of the disease include fever, cough, shortness of breath, and other flu-like symptoms.

It is still not clear where the disease came from, however, initial cases were all linked to Huanan Seafood Market in Wuhan City, China. The Market was closed on the 1st of January 2020 for environmental sanitation and disinfection. The cases in Thailand, Japan and Republic of Korea were all travelers from Wuhan City

The World Health Organization is supporting affected countries and providing guidance on how to manage the outbreak. The organization is also working with global networks of researchers and experts to deliver accurate, updated information and timely information.