Taiwan should tighten entry controls and strengthen transit passenger monitoring to prevent the spread of the Ebola virus. That’s the word from Taiwan’s China Medical University Hospital Infection Control Center Deputy Dean Hwang Kao-pin (黃高彬) on Tuesday, May 26.

The Democratic Republic of Congo is currently dealing with an outbreak of Ebola with nearly 1,000 suspected and confirmed cases and more than 200 deaths. Cases of the virus have also been confirmed in neighboring countries as well as in individuals in the United States and Italy who had previously traveled to the region.

On Tuesday, Deputy Dean Hwang said in an interview with Radio Taiwan International that border controls are the most critical measure to prevent the spread of Ebola to Taiwan. He recommended retaining passenger information to facilitate later tracking and monitoring of their health in addition to the current requirement of 21 days of self-monitoring upon entry. Hwang also said that transit passengers who have visited the affected regions should, if necessary, be placed in designated isolation areas to prevent contact with other passengers and airport staff.

Hwang added that the Ebola virus is highly contagious, but as long as border controls are in place, the risk of an outbreak in Taiwan remains low.