The Tribune

By SANCHESKA BROWN

Tribune Staff Reporter

sbrown@tribunemedia.net

THE MINISTRY of Health yesterday dismissed rumours that a visitor who became severely ill while travelling on a private charter plane in the Bahamas was suffering from the Ebola virus.

In a statement, the Ministry admitted that the traveller, an American from Tennessee, displayed symptoms of vomiting and diarrhea, but said because the patient had neither travelled to any Ebola-affected areas nor had contact with anyone displaying Ebola symptoms, there was no threat to public health.

After being examined the visitor was allowed to continue to his destination.

The Ministry’s statement did not say where he was headed or if he continued to seek medical attention once he arrived.

However, The Tribune understands the plane was diverted from Exuma to New Providence, where the American was seen by a team of officers before continuing to Exuma a few hours later.

“It has been reported to the Ministry of Health today that a traveller who was being transported to the Bahamas via a charter aircraft from Tennessee, USA, displayed symptoms of vomiting and diarrhea,” the release said.

“As per the national Ebola preparedness protocol, the aircraft was diverted to the designated location. A health evaluation team was transported to the aircraft and evaluated the patient. It was determined that the patient did not travel to an Ebola-affected area, nor had any contact with anyone who had travelled to an Ebola-affected area. There were no other passengers with any signs of illness upon evaluation. As there was no determined threat to the public’s health, clearance was provided for the aircraft to proceed to its destination.”

The Ministry took the opportunity to remind the public that Ebola is a severe disease characterised by sudden onset of fever, intense weakness, muscle pain, headache and sore throat. These symptoms may be followed by vomiting, diarrhea, rash, impaired kidney and liver function and – in some cases – internal and external bleeding.

In December 2013 an Ebola outbreak started in Guinea, West Africa, and has spread to Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Senegal, the United States and Spain.  A separate outbreak is currently occurring in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Recently, Nigeria and Senegal have been declared free of Ebola transmission by the World Health Organisation (WHO).

The WHO has recommended people to avoid unnecessary travel to Ebola-affected countries. Persons who do travel to affected areas should ensure that necessary precautions are taken to avoid exposure.

Returning travellers who experience any of the above-mentioned symptoms within 21 days of arriving home should consult their healthcare provider immediately or contact the Surveillance Unit at 502-4776/502-4790/397-1021.

Last week, Prime Minister Perry Christie insisted that the Bahamas is ready to tackle Ebola cases as he officially announced the task force appointed to spearhead preparedness in the event that the deadly virus arrives in the country.

The task force’s strategic plan includes monitoring air and sea arrivals as well as ports of entry on the Family Islands. Officials added that the Critical Care Block at the Princess Margaret Hospital, with its four incubation rooms, is available to house patients if it becomes necessary.