Health Officials Confirm Low Risk and Comprehensive Protocols Ahead of BA253 Arrival from Nassau

The Ministry of Health, Environment and Sustainability (MHES), Public Health Department (PHD), Cayman Islands Customs and Border Control (CBC) and Cayman Islands Airports Authority (CIAA) have been working in partnership to ensure that all public health screening protocols are in place ahead of the arrival of yesterday’s BA253 flight Grand Cayman bound passengers who overnighted in the Bahamas.  

The flight, which was scheduled to arrive in Grand Cayman yesterday, was cancelled due to public health concerns following the identification of two Nassau-bound passengers having recent travel history to the Democratic Republic of Congo. Cayman Islands Government officials have been working tirelessly with representatives from both British Airways and Cayman Airways, and passengers wishing to continue their journey to the Cayman Islands at this time will be arriving later today.

“Our teams have been working diligently to ensure that we have clear procedures and protocols in place ahead of passengers’ arrival this afternoon” states Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Hilary Wolf.“ Our protocols range from what passengers will need to do prior to arrival, enhanced screening upon arrival, dissemination of information prior to them leaving the airport, and for some additional surveillance over the coming days and weeks. Both the Chief Nursing Officer and I will be on hand at Owen Roberts Airport to assist the Public Health team and provide any additional support needed when today’s flight lands.”

All passengers from the original BA253 flight will be asked to fill out a form that will provide Public Health officials with essential information to ensure adequate surveillance over the coming days. A subgroup of passengers from the flight, who were identified based on contact tracing undertaken by the Bahamian officials, will be undergoing additional screening at arrival and will be proactively monitored by PHD.

Upon arrival at Owen Roberts International Airport, passengers will be escorted to the Public Health team table, which will be located outside of the main arrivals area. At that time, the original 22 May BA253 passengers will undergo screening measures, which will include a brief health questionnaire and  confirmation of contact information. The subgroup of passengers that were identified for additional screening measures will be escorted to a separate area, where they will be informed of the enhanced surveillance protocols by the Public Health team, including what to expect over the coming days and weeks.

“There have been concerns from members of the public relating to the testing of passengers,” explains Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Samuel Williams-Rodriguez, “and I want to clarify that the Public Health team will not be undertaking any such testing at this time as it would not be necessary or effective to do so.”

Ebola is a viral illness transmitted through direct contact with the bodily fluids of an infected individual. Importantly, a person infected with Ebola cannot spread the virus until they develop symptoms. Symptoms may include fever, severe headache, muscle pain, fatigue, vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, and unexplained bleeding or bruising.  Symptoms develop between 2 and 21 days following exposure.

“Ebolavirus can be detected in blood after the onset of symptoms. However, it may take up to three days after symptoms start for the virus to reach detectable levels,” Dr. Williams-Rodriguez continues. “As such, testing at this time would not be appropriate.”

Cayman health officials are in continued communication with their Bahamian counterparts who are providing regular updates as additional information from the investigation becomes available. However, MHES and PHD health officials stress that the threat of transmission is very low. “Ebola is not airborne, you cannot contract it by being near someone. Transmission requires direct contact with the bodily fluids of the infected person, such as through broken skin or mucous membranes, and even then only after they have started showing symptoms,” Dr. Wolf adds.

As it relates to local prevention strategies, CMO emphasises: “This is an epidemic that is happening somewhere else, and it is very different in terms of transmission than COVID.  Prevention strategies are, therefore, focused on travel.  While we recommend avoiding travel to the Democratic Republic of Congo at this time, those who have travelled to the area and feel unwell, or believe they may have been exposed to Ebola Virus disease, are asked to do their part in notifying CB C or Public Health personnel upon arrival.”

For more information on Ebola Virus Disease, to speak with a Public Health official, or to report symptoms, contact the Public Health Department on 244-2849.