Suspected Ebola case proves negative

Ebola virus

Ebola virus



Accra, July 08, GNA – Results of specimens from suspected Ebola case of a foreign national with travel history of a visit to one of the Ebola affected countries have proved negative after four laboratory tests.

The Ministry of Health has therefore advised the public to remain calm whilst the Ghana Health Service Surveillance Team worked very hard especially in the area of public education to raise the required awareness to ensure that all practice the highest level prevention and control measures.

In a release signed by the Minister of Health Ms Sherry Ayittey and copied to the Ghana News Agency, the suspect foreign national who fell sick and was rushed tothe   Nyaho Medical Centre had a clinical presentation which led to the suspicion of an Ebola Virus Disease.

‘As most of us are aware, specimens have been sent to the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research and results are negative’, she added.

The Minister commended the management and staff of Nyaho Medical Centre who worked hard during the period without going home to save the life of the patient with professionalism and dedication, ‘this is highly appreciated’.

She noted that that as of July 3, 2014, a total of 779 cases including 481 deaths (case fatality ratio 61.7%) had been reported from six districts including Conakry the capital of Guinea.

‘As a country, we have in place a preparedness and response plan with the following major components: Risk communication-social mobilization and health education, Epidemiological and laboratory surveillance (in human and animal) Case management, Logistics, security and financial resources and Coordination’.

On surveillance, the Minister explained that the country was on high alert and had activated the system to a very high degree, whilst front-line staff had been trained to identify any suspected cases.

Ebola is a severe, infectious often-fatal disease in humans that presents with high fever and bleeding. There is no vaccine against Ebola. It is very infectious and kills in a short time though it can be prevented.

It is characterized by sudden onset of fever, vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, intense weakness, muscle pain, headache and sore throat. This is often followed by vomiting, diarrhoea, rash, impaired kidney and liver function, and bleeding tendencies (both internal and external) that may include blood spots in the eyes, blood in the vomitus, sputum, urine or stool, bleeding from the nose and other body openings.

The spread of this current outbreak is commonly person to person through: Close contact with the blood, secretions, organs or other bodily fluids of infected or dead animals. Direct physical contact with body fluids of infected persons like blood, saliva, stool, vomitus, urine, and soiled linen.

Burial ceremonies where mourners have direct contact with the body of the deceased person can play a role in the transmission of Ebola.

The Ministry advised the public to to avoid direct contact with body fluids of a person suffering from Ebola by using protective materials like gloves, goggles, and masks and disinfect the beddings and clothing of an infected person.

GNA

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