SAN JUAN – Jamaica’s Ministry of Health and the Pan American Health Organization reached an agreement that calls for PAHO to assist the Caribbean country in preparations to deal with suspected cases of Ebola.

The acting permanent secretary of the Ministry, Kevin Harvey, confirmed PAHO’s pledge to provide personal protective equipment, such as masks, gloves and boots, for health professionals in the island, Jamaican media said Friday.

This agreement comes days after a doctor returning to Jamaica from Trinidad and Tobago was admitted to a hospital suffering from hemorrhaging.

Harvey denied that the patient had Ebola.

“PAHO has confirmed support for the provision of PPEs (personal protective equipment kits) from its warehouse in Panama. If the need arises in Jamaica, items can be made available within 24 hours of notification of a case,” Harvey said in a statement.

Also, PAHO will collaborate with the Ministry to review protocols for the collection of blood samples and transportation to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or the Canadian Public Health Agency.

The preventive measure by the Jamaican government responds to the alarming Ebola outbreak that has claimed more than 3,300 lives in West Africa.