TheJournal.ie reports this morning A PATIENT SUSPECTED of having the Ebola virus is expected to be transferred to the Mater Hospital’s National Isolation Unit this morning.
TheJournal.ie has confirmed that a room in the unit is currently being prepared for the arrival of the patient. The room is is being sealed with negative pressure to avoid spread of infection throughout the hospital.
It is understood the patient recently travelled abroad and is currently suffering from flu-like symptoms.
Ebola is a highly infectious virus and this is the first suspected case in the country. So far over 1,000 people have died across West Africa from the disease. Yesterday the WHO warned that the outbreak was worse than previously thought.
Unlike other infections like influenza, Ebola is not airborne. It can only be transmitted by direct contact with the body fluids of a person who has the disease.
