Sierra Leone football delegation confined in Yde

The Cameroonian Public Health Department was solicited for the guidance and safety of the Sierra Leone football team and their surroundings, during their meeting on October 1 and 5 for the qualifiers of the African Cup of Nations (CAN) Morocco 2015.

The football team of 40 who arrived in Yaounde on Wednesday October 1 were screened by some representatives from the Health Department. Their hands were disinfected with a hydro-alcoholic solution.

They were also tested at Nsimalen International Airport with the help of a thermal imaging camera to detect passengers who are potential carriers of the Ebola virus, before being housed in a brand-new hotel located at the entrance of the city closely guarded by police who control access.

These drastic measures, according to local authorities, were justified by presence of the hemorrhagic epidemic fever in Sierra Leone.

The staff at the hotel said one of its leaders had raised awareness on hygiene measures through the provision of a hydro alcoholic solution at the entrance to the hotel.

Limitation and control of visits to members of the delegation with strict prohibition of visits in the rooms, the restriction and mentoring of outputs, taking temperature of the individual morning and evening for the whole of the delegation by a medical team as well as the communication of a daily report to the Ministry of Health.

According to Minister of Communication, Issa Tchiroma Bakary, all provisions have been taken so that the presence, albeit temporary, the delegation of sierra Leone within the country he said, “Will not create a breach in which Cameroon, which for the moment remains spared, would in turn be affected by this epidemic".

These measures, he said, was not to stigmatize the members of the Sierra Leone football delegation, or to embarrass their citizens and their nation. It was to guard their health in their host country. At the same time to prevent any unfortunate contagion that might arise during their one week stay.

The Ministry of Public Health took, in consultation with other government departments and related areas, special health regulations which should be applied during the stay of the football delegation of Sierra Leone in Cameroon.

Health documents were signed by authorities from Sierra Leone for each member of the team to affirm they were not carriers of Ebola. These documents were signed by authorities of other countries who face this epidemic when a citizen of their country wants to travel to Cameroon.