Ebola scare in Australia: Gold Coast man isolated - tests negative

[Ronan Kelly]

Ebola scare in Australia: Gold Coast man isolated
1 HOUR AGO SEPTEMBER 11, 2014 8:01AM

PARAMEDICS have suited up to rush a severely ill man to Gold Coast University Hospital this morning amid suspected Ebola virus fears.
The Southport man has been seriously ill for two days with emergency crews confirming he had just returned from The Congo, where the largest Ebola outbreak in history has ripped through Africa, two days ago.

Paramedics were instructed to suit up in protective clothing before taking him to hospital.
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http://www.news.com.au/national/ebo...ast-man-isolated/story-fncynjr2-1227054788832

 

[Pathfinder]

Re: Ebola scare in Australia: Gold Coast man isolated

Re: Ebola scare in Australia: Gold Coast man isolated

Man in Queensland hospital isolation 'unlikely to have Ebola'

Updated <TIME class="relative very-recent" title="Thu 11 Sep 2014, 11:16am" datetime="Thu Sep 11 11:16:20 CDT 2014">11 Sep 2014, 11:16amThu 11 Sep 2014, 11:16am</TIME>

After an initial assessment, Gold Coast University Hospital director of infectious diseases Dr John Gerrard said it was extremely unlikely the patient had Ebola.

"That initial clinical assessment suggests it is exceedingly unlikely that the patient has Ebola virus disease but he is being isolated in accordance with national guidelines," he said.
...
Queensland Health's acting director of communicable diseases Dr Heidi Carroll said there was only a low risk of it being Ebola, but all precautions were being taken.

She said an outcome should be known within a few hours.

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http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-09-...ospital-isolation-as-ebola-precaution/5736014

 

[Donners]

Re: Ebola scare in Australia: Gold Coast man isolated

Re: Ebola scare in Australia: Gold Coast man isolated

A GOLD Coast man suspected of contracting the deadly Ebola virus has been cleared.

QUEENSLAND Health confirmed on Thursday evening all blood tests taken from the 27-year-old had returned a negative result.

http://www.news.com.au/national/bre...sessed-for-ebola/story-e6frfku9-1227054824033

 

[Ronan Kelly]

Re: Ebola scare in Australia: Gold Coast man isolated

Re: Ebola scare in Australia: Gold Coast man isolated

Tests confirm all clear for patient with suspected Ebola virus
Chief Health Officer Dr Jeannette Young has tonight confirmed tests taken from a Gold Coast man suspected of having Ebola virus disease have returned a negative result.

It follows comments from doctors earlier in the day that the patient was exceedingly unlikely to have the disease based on his symptoms and the areas in Africa in which he travelled to.

"I would like to thank all health and ambulance staff involved in the management of this patient; it was a job well done and serves to show the community that our emergency preparedness plans are sound, and that they can rely on their health services," Dr Young said.

"I also thank the media for helping to allay the fears and hype in the community ? it was a very important message for us to convey."

Dr Young said while it was highly unlikely Ebola virus disease would come to Queensland, anyone who has travelled to parts of West Africa affected by the outbreak and who are concerned about their health, should visit their GP.

Dr Young said the treating team at the Gold Coast University Hospital would ultimately determine the patient's treatment options based on the results and his current condition.

Information on Ebola virus disease can be found on the Federal Department of Health website.

For advice on how best to prepare for international travel to protect against vaccine preventable and other diseases, visit the Queensland Government immunisation webpage.

ENDS

Media contact: 3234 1439

Last updated: 11 September 2014
http://www.health.qld.gov.au/news-alerts/doh-media-releases/releases/140911-ebola-negative.asp