Via the province of Ontario, a news release: Update On Patient Being Tested For Ebola Virus Disease in Ontario. African health ministries should take notes; this is how to do a statement about a potentially scary case. Excerpt:
William Osler Health System's Brampton Civic Hospital is currently testing a patient who recently travelled to Canada from Nigeria and presented with symptoms including fever, headache and malaise.
This action was taken as a precautionary measure and results of the testing are expected within the next 24 hours. Samples have been sent to the National Microbiology Laboratory in Winnipeg.
The patient is currently in isolation and is being treated for a fever and other flu-like symptoms.
The Minister of Health is closely managing the situation and is in close contact with the Chief Medical Officer of Health, the local public health unit and the hospital.
Initial signs and symptoms of Ebola are similar to many more common diseases and health care providers have been advised to be on heightened alert for Ebola cases. Although the risk of transmission of the Ebola virus disease in Ontario remains very low, the ministry is taking measures to ensure the province's health care sector is prepared and the public is protected.
Given the current outbreak of Ebola in West Africa, it is expected that health care providers will consider Ebola as one of the diseases to rule out for persons who have recently travelled to one of the affected African countries, and who are presenting with symptoms seen in many more common diseases such as malaria or the flu. These symptoms could include fever, malaise, muscle pain and headache.
Health professionals are responding to the alert appropriately, by identifying individuals who potentially may be affected, taking enhanced infection-prevention precautions, and testing. Our system is working as it should.