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Greece tightens the preventive measures to deal with possible cases of Ebola in the country. This decision was taken during an extended meeting with leading figures from the Ministry of Health and all other competent authorities, including scientists from the Hellenic Centre for Diseases Control and Prevention and senior officials from the National Health Business Centre.

It has also been decided to appoint additional medical personnel, at the points of entry into the country, who will have to be fully informed about the new virus. Meanwhile, passengers arriving from "suspect" countries will fill in a questionnaire depending on which the degree of risk of infection with Ebola will be assessed.

During the meeting it was ascertained that anyone coming in contact with immigrants will be informed promptly and in detail about the virus, the ways of its transmission and the symptoms of people suffering from it.

Furthermore, researchers have decided to send at the same time updated recommendations, to the competent authorities and citizens, on all new data emerging in connection with the Ebola virus. At the border points, posters have been placed containing useful information about the virus in Greek and English. Laboratory control centres for testing of clinical samples such as the Microbiology Laboratory at the medical Faculties of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and the University of Athens, are on full alert. The hospital that will take patients infected with Ebola has already been chosen – this will be the Amalia Fleming Hospital which works in full mode.

As to information and management of any suspected cases, passengers who might enter the country with fever or other symptoms, a detailed plan has already been developed with instructions for individual and collective measures to prevent the spread of the virus, transportation of patients by first-aid ambulances, follow-up and clinical treatment.

Earlier recommendations of the Centre for Diseases Control and Prevention say that visits to countries in West Africa, such as Guinea, Liberia, Sierra Leone and Nigeria should be avoided. In case this is not possible, strict precautions must be taken to avoid contamination with the virus as recommended by the Centre for Diseases Control and Prevention which include: avoiding contact with any biological material (blood, semen, saliva, etc.), as well as with items that could be infected, using protective means during sexual intercourse, avoiding the consumption of meat from wild animals.