IMO calls on HSE to prepare for Ebola case

The Irish Medical Organisation says the HSE must do more to ensure Ireland is prepared for a case of Ebola.

The President of the organisation, Professor Trevor Duffy says there's a lot of confusion and concern amongst GPs and simply issuing guidelines is not enough.

His comments come as the IMO on Friday called for the HSE to meet urgently to discuss plans in the event of Ebola reaching Ireland.

"It is not good enough to simply issue guidelines in the current situation," the IMO said in a statement.

"We do not wish to be in any way to be alarmist about this situation but we must recognise that doctors need to have the resources and structures to deal with any circumstances that may arise."

JFK in New York has become the first of five airports in the United States to start new health screenings for travellers arriving from West African countries hit by the ebola outbreak.

Passengers have had their temperatures taken and are being asked to fill out a questionnaire.

The measures were put in place after Liberian Thomas Eric Duncan died in a Texas hospital on Wednesday.