The Minister of People’s Power for Health, Carlos Alvarado, announced the implementation of actions to identify possible suspected cases of Coronavirus at the Simón Bolívar International Airport in Maiquetía, La Guaira state.
«Actions were initiated to identify possible suspicious cases at the Maiquetía International Airport, with the collaboration of the National Institute of Civil Aeronautics and the airlines that operate with international trips, for the filling and analysis of the traveler’s identification form» reported Alvarado.
He announced that these preventive actions will soon be extended to other international ports and airports in Venezuela, following the recommendations of the World Health Organization (WHO).
«In Venezuela, the corresponding measures are being taken by the declaration of emergency of interest in public health of international importance decreed by the WHO, among which stands out the activation of the National Committee for Preparedness and Response, and the International Sanitary Office», he said.
The head of Health reported that the epidemiological surveillance system for acute respiratory infections and the health system to address possible cases have been strengthened. «We have also increased information to the general population».
In that regard, he reiterated that, up to date, there has not been confirmed in Venezuela nor in Latin America any suspected case of Coronavirus, an acute respiratory infection that appeared in Wuhan, in the People’s Republic of China, at the end of December 2019.
“This disease has behaved, since its appearance in December 2019, as a common flu in 80% of cases, lasting from three to five days, with symptoms of runny nose, general malaise, coughing, sneezing and fever, and in the least number of cases, with persistent fever and respiratory distress», he said.
