Hemorrhagic fever has not subsided in Guinea and concern is mounting in other countries. First in Liberia, where the Ebola virus manifested itself in 6 people, of whom only 1 survived. The sixth case is a little girl, currently “under treatment” in Canada.
It was in Canada that a man, returning from a business trip to Liberia, contracted symptoms similar to Ebola hemorrhagic fever. “An adult male who recently traveled to West Africa is seriously ill in a hospital in Saskatoon (western Canada) with a high fever and other symptoms,” says the Canadian provincial health ministry Saskatchewan in a press release. But the latest news is that it is not the Ebola virus, according to WHO spokesperson Gregory Härtl. The latter said on his Twitter account that the Canadian “would have tested negative for the virus”. These results have not yet been confirmed by the Canadian government.
An extremely contagious virus
How could these non-Guineans have been infected? For the Liberians, the link is established with Guinea since they went to Guinea for a funeral. “People come to attend funerals on one side and unfortunately they get infected without knowing it and they return home afterwards”, explains Marie-Christine Ferir, head of crisis situations at Doctors Without Borders, to AFP in Brussels. .
For prevention, blood samples are in progress and the Liberian health authorities are raising awareness in the field.
Preventive actions
Near or far contact with contaminated people or animals can spread the disease. The virus is highly contagious, which makes it one of the most dangerous on the planet. It could even be transmitted through breathing, researchers believe.
This hemorrhagic fever cannot be cured. The health authorities, assisted by NGOs present in Guinea, are therefore attempting to contain the disease through preventive measures. Hygiene and protection kits are distributed to the population.
The Guinean Ministry of Health has decided to treat patients free of charge in isolation centers. A census of all people who have been in contact with patients, as well as those presenting symptoms is also underway.
