President Ma Ying-jeou held a national security meeting on Tuesday with relevant government agencies to work out plans for prevention of the Ebola virus in Taiwan.
Ma called on the public not to panic as Taiwan has had experience in dealing with outbreaks like SARS.
President Ma said current preventative measures include strengthened hygiene education, strict quarantine upon entry into the country, and preparation drills. Ma said however there would be increased risk of the disease entering Taiwan if the virus breaks out in China.
The president also called on the health and welfare ministry to work out an integral preventative plan and to strengthen cooperation between ministries.
Taiwan is planning to donate 100,000 sets of protective equipment and US$1 million in aid to help fight Ebola. Taiwan will also contact the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to express its desire to help in the global fight against the Ebola outbreak. So far, more than 4,500 people have died from the virus.