Tests indicate Kelowna patient does NOT have Ebola virus
By Interior Health Authority
The Ministry of Health and Interior Health are confirming that preliminary testing on a health-care worker returning from West Africa has come back negative for Ebola virus disease (EVD).
In keeping with provincial protocols, public health officials have asked the patient to remain within two hours of a designated type two facility – in this case Kelowna General Hospital – for the duration of the 21-day self-monitoring period.
On Sunday evening, the patient began to experience mild influenza-like illness, and reported those symptoms to the medical health officer. Working with provincial public health specialists, and out of an abundance of caution, Interior Health asked the patient to come into Kelowna General Hospital to get tested. While there, the patient is being cared for in an isolation room, away from other patients or staff.
Early testing is negative for Ebola and all signs point to this being a case of the flu or a similar illness – influenza is currently circulating widely in the community. However, given travel and work history, public health is following all the standard precautionary procedures, to ensure that they do not have Ebola.
Additional testing will take place over the next day or two to confirm results of early testing. The patient will remain in isolation in hospital during this time.
The risk to the public remains extremely low. Health-care workers at Kelowna General Hospital have been trained on Ebola protocols and procedures, and the facility is fully prepared to manage this patient.
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