INDONESIA TIGHTENS SUPERVISION OF EBOLA VIRUS

By Andi Abdussalam

Jakarta, Aug 19 (Antara) - Although it sees little possibility of the Ebola virus spreading through Indonesia, the country remains cautious and has alerted its citizens, particularly those working overseas, to remain vigilant and avoid contracting this deadly disease.          The Indonesian Health Ministry has said it will continue to take steps to prevent the spread of the Ebola infection, which has broken out in a number of African countries, though there is little possibility it could reach Indonesia.           "The possibility of the virus spreading in Indonesia is small because we have no direct flights with Central and Western African countries where the virus infection has broken out.  The World Health Organization (WHO) has placed these countries under its supervision," Acting Director General for Disease Control and Sanitation of the Health Ministry Agus Purwadianto said in Jakrata on Friday.          As an anticipatory step, the Health Ministry has assigned 100 hospitals to handle Ebola virus victims if the disease is discovered among Indonesian citizens.          The 100 hospitals had been earlier designated to treat bird flu victims, who contracted the Avian influenza during the outbreak in Indonesia several years ago.