Update: Queensland Health have announced that the woman’s initial test results have come back negative. She will remain in hospital and will be tested again in two days.
Mamamia previously reported:
An 18-year-old woman is in isolation in Brisbane, showing possible symptoms of Ebola.
The woman arrived in Australia 11 days ago, having left from West Africa. Once here, she developed a fever and is currently in the Royal Brisbane Women and Children’s Hospital.
Queensland Chief Health Officer, Dr Jeanette Young, addressed the media to assure the public that the risks of contracting Ebola in Australia are very low, as our health care system is extraordinarily capable and prepared.
The 18-year-old has also been in home detention since arriving in Australia.
“I’m very confident that there is no risk to any member of the Queensland community,” Dr Young said.
According to Dr Young, the 18-year-old was not an aid worker and does not remember coming into contact with anyone with Ebola while in Africa. The patient did, however, live in Guinea for a time where there have been many cases of Ebola.
She will undergo several rounds of testing over the next few days.
This news follows an Ebola scare in Cairns, where Sue-Ellen Kovack – a nurse who stayed in Sierra Leone for a month – was suspected to have Ebola, but cleared after testing.
More to come.
Top Comments
Why are theses people coming back freely?....why not quarenteen anyone and everyone returning from Africa before they return? Seems like a simple and logical way to not risk spreading the desease. There should also be a complete travel ban to the area until this is under control.
She was in home quarantine, and was transferred using proper precautions.
They are in quarantine. In both 'scares', the women remained at home in a self-imposed quarantine which is the suggested protocol after returning from West Africa. They are not contagious until they start developing symptoms - so not at risk to any one who comes into contact with them until then.
At least she wasn't gallivanting all around Brisbane, like that moron doctor in New York. You'd think someone who had worked with Ebola and knew of its extremely long incubation period, would have been sensible enough to self quarantine and stay away from people for at least 21 days. And now that the health professionals believe that Ebola can be contracted from hand sweat on objects (whilst still moist) everyone on the New York subway must be thrilled with him.
What do you mean, "These people"? You mean, our fellow human beings? Can we just get real? THis disease has affected 10,000 West Africans and fewer than half-a-dozen Europeans. We owe it to our sisters and brothers in Africa to help. Quarantine is only necessary while people are displaying symptoms. And quarantine is in place.