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.
Dr. Eileen de Villa of Peel Public Health told The Globe and
Mail that “infection prevention and control measures” had been put in place at
the hospital because a patient “with a recent travel history to Nigeria” had
shown symptoms similar to the Ebola fever and other flu-like symptoms.
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.”
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