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October 13, 2014 – A patient at The Ottawa Hospital’s General Campus is undergoing tests for the Ebola virus disease. The patient, who had recently visited a West African country where Ebola has been reported, arrived at the hospital yesterday. In keeping with recommended infection prevention and control practices, the patient was immediately placed in isolation until the source of the illness can be identified.

To protect patient confidentiality, no information about the patient’s age or gender can be disclosed. The patient is currently doing well and is being kept at The Ottawa Hospital’s General Campus for observation. Specimens from the patient have been sent to the National Microbiology Lab in Winnipeg for testing, with results expected by later today.

“All necessary precautions are being taken to ensure the safety of other patients, visitors and hospital staff. Strict infection prevention and control measures in Ontario hospitals means the risk of Ebola to other patients and health care workers is minimal,” said Dr. Jonathan Angel, Infectious Disease Specialist at The Ottawa Hospital.

“It’s important for the public to know that Ebola virus disease spreads only through direct contact with infected bodily fluids. It is not an airborne infection and cannot be spread through casual contact,” said Dr. Isra Levy, Medical Officer of Health. “This patient under investigation for possible Ebola virus disease has demonstrated that the processes that have been put in place by local hospitals, the Champlain Local Health Integration Network (LHIN), and other public health agencies including Ottawa Public Health are being followed.”

Ebola virus disease is a severe disease that causes haemorrhagic fever in humans and animals. In its late stages, this serious viral infection can cause internal and external bleeding which can lead to death. The current outbreak of Ebola is located in West African countries. To date, there have not been any documented cases of Ebola in Canada

For additional information on Ebola visit the following websites:

• Public Health Ontario
• Public Health Agency of Canada
• World Health Organization
• U.S. Centre for Disease Control and Prevention

Further updates will be provided as they become available.

Additional information about Ebola virus disease is available at OttawaPublicHealth.ca or by calling Ottawa Public Health at 613-580-6744.  You can also connect with Ottawa Public Health on Facebook and Twitter (@ottawahealth).

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