Opposition Leader Francis Fonseca Urges Preparation for Ebola

Francis Fonseca

Ebola has captured the attention of the world, but what has caused real dread is the realization that a first world nation like the U.S. has been caught unprepared. And with cases being reported in the US, how long will it be before there are restrictions on visitors from that nation? Today, P.U.P. leader Francis Fonseca reported that neighbouring Guatemala has been preparing for Ebola, and cautioned Belize to follow suit sooner, rather than too late.

Francis Fonseca, P.U.P. Leader

“I was advised that the Guatemalan government was investigating or is investigating the potential presence of Ebola in Guatemala. The Guatemalan government has sent peacekeepers to West Africa, who have been working in West Africa, who have recently returned to Guatemala and we understand that there are some potential risks. We are not being alarmists at all and not trying to create any unnecessary concern. But we certainly want to sound the warning to our government, to the relevant authorities in our country that given the proximity and the vigorous cross-border traffic and even without talking about Guatemala, I think the Belizean people, all of us, need to know what is our government’s plan, what is the plan of the health authorities if—God forbid—this dreaded disease comes to our shores. The point is has NEMO been activated, are the relevant parties sitting together discussing the potential risk to our country. This is a serious matter. We see it played out every day on our televisions that even the great, mighty United States is having tremendous difficulties dealing with this problem. So we only sound a word of caution that we should not be caught sleeping on this issue. It is a very important global issue. We understand the circumstances of our own health system and the limitations of that system; we are not under any illusions at all—whether it’s a P.U.P. government or a U.D.P. government—we understand. All we are saying is that we need to be awake and we need to develop some sort of plan.”

Fonseca says the P.U.P. is prepared to work with the government to formulate and implement any such plan, since the threat transcends political borders.