KUCHING, May 28: The state Health Department refuted viral reports on social media of a 47-year-old male patient from Kapit having contracted the Ebola virus, and clarified he is currently being treated for a viral infection other than Ebola.
State health director Dr Jamilah Hashim in a press statement today explained that the clinical symptoms displayed by the patient did not resemble Ebola symptoms.
She added that the duration of the symptoms had also surpassed the incubation period of Ebola, further proving that the patient was not infected by the Ebola virus.
“The State Health Department (JKNS) has taken note of the report being viraled on social media relating to the 47-year-old male Iban patient from Kapit. He was found unconscious at a supermarket in Sibu at 3.30pm on May 27 and was suspected of having contracted a dangerous virus.
“Based on early reports received from the Sibu Hospital, the patient is still unconscious and has been put on a respirator. He works in the Democratic Republic of Congo and returned home for the holidays on April 29. The area where he worked is not an Ebola epidemic area.
“The Sibu Hospital is still conducting further investigation to confirm the cause of his condition,” Dr Jamilah said.
In this regard, JKNS has instructed Sibu Hospital and Sibu Division Health Office to increase the level of alertness to cope with any eventuality arising from the case, she stressed.
“At the same time, JKNS is advising people who are sick after returning home from African countries to seek immediate medical attention and treatment at the nearest hospital or clinic,” she said. — DayakDaily
