Today Eric Hoskins, Minister of Health and Long-Term Care, issued the following statement on a patient testing negative for Ebola Virus Disease in Ontario:
“I can now confirm a recent case that underwent testing at the National Microbiology Laboratory in Winnipeg was found to test negative for Ebola virus disease.
Brampton Civic Hospital tested a patient who recently travelled to Canada from West Africa and presented with symptoms such as fever, headache, muscle pain and malaise. This was done as a precautionary measure.
Initial signs and symptoms of Ebola are similar to many more common diseases and health care providers have been advised to be on heightened alert for Ebola cases. Health professionals responded to the alert appropriately, by identifying an individual who potentially may have been affected, taking enhanced infection-prevention precautions, and testing. Our system worked as it should.
We are glad to hear that the patient is doing well, and wish him a full and speedy recovery.
I would like to thank all of the health care workers and public health officials involved in the case for their tireless work.
Ontarians should know that we are fully prepared should any cases appear in the province. This situation was the result of all our protocols working effectively.”
Given the current outbreak of Ebola in West Africa, health care providers will considered Ebola as one of the diseases to rule out for persons who have recently travelled to one of the affected African countries, and who are presenting with symptoms seen in many more common diseases such as malaria or the flu.
Health professionals are responding to the alert appropriately, by identifying individuals who potentially may be affected, taking enhanced infection-prevention precautions, and testing.
Ontario learned many lessons from SARS including the need to ensure health care providers have the information they need to respond appropriately and quickly.
The ministry, in collaboration with Public Health Ontario, has recently advised Ontario health care providers of the Ebola virus disease outbreak in West Africa, and the need to consider Ebola as one possible diagnosis for travellers who have visited Africa in the previous 21 days, and who show symptoms such as fever, malaise, muscle pain and headaches. Guidelines have been provided regarding: disease diagnosis; specimen collection; infection, prevention and control measures and testing.
