A Canadian who recently visited Nigeria
is being held in isolation at Brampton Civic Hospital in Ontario for
showing symptoms of the Ebola Virus Disease.
According to a Canadian public health
official, the patient was reported to be showing initial symptoms of
Ebola which were similar to more common diseases, such as malaria.
Dr. de Villa said she received
information from her colleagues at Brampton Civic Hospital and
representatives from the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care.
She added that the hospital would be working with public health laboratories to confirm a diagnosis.
“Any subsequent actions will of course depend on what the ultimate diagnosis is,” she said.
The Public Health Agency of Canada has
advised Canadians to avoid all non-essential travel to Guinea, Liberia
and Sierra Leone due to the outbreak, but issued a statement, saying the
risk of Ebola to Canada is very low.
It said travellers to Nigeria should
practise special precautions such as avoiding direct contact with blood
and other bodily fluids of people with Ebola virus or unknown illnesses,
among other steps.
Similarly, according to a statement
issued by Canada’s Minister of International Development, Christian
Paradis, the country is offering additional support to help fight the
growing EVD outbreak in West Africa.
Paradis said, “Canada is gravely
concerned by the rapidly expanding Ebola outbreak in West Africa and the
impact it is having on the families in the region as well as the health
care workers on the ground assisting them.
“Our thoughts remain with all of those
affected. Through both funding and personnel, Canada will continue to
help get aid to those who need it as quickly as possible.”
