(VOVworld) – The World Health Organization (WHO) on Monday urged Ebola-infected nations to strictly monitor arrivals at their border crossings to prevent the spread of the epidemic. The WHO recommended installing body temperature scanners at international airports, seaports, and border gates to detect travelers with Ebola symptoms. Those carrying the Ebola virus must not be allowed to exit, except for treatment. The risk of transmission of Ebola via air travel is low, WHO said, because Ebola patients are not healthy enough to travel. Therefore it has been unnecessary to issue travel or trade restrictions.

Since the Ebola epidemic broke out in March, 1,145 deaths and 2,127 infections have been reported, forcing the WHO to declare an international state of emergency.

A health worker with disinfectant spray walks down a street outside the government hospital in Kenema, July 10, 2014. (Photo: Reuters)

The Liberian government is hunting for 17 Ebola patients who fled a quarantine facility on the outskirt of the capital Monrovia last week. Liberia's Information Minister, Lewis Brown, said that the searches were prompted by a fear that the inmates may spread the deadly virus to the community, but so far have been fruitless. Officials are considering sealing off an area containing 75,000 people.