Canada: Returning traveler from Africa ‘being examined for a suspected case of viral hemorrhagic fever’

With the news of an outbreak of Ebola virus in the western African nation of Guinea, and the possibility the outbreak has spread over the border into neighboring Liberia, the world has it’s eye on that part of the African continent.

In a hospital in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada, health officials are reporting a patient, a man who recently traveled to Western Africa, who is being examined as a suspected case of viral hemorrhagic fever, according to a CBC News report today.

According to the report, the patient recently returned from travel to Africa including Liberia has exhibited high fever and other symptoms.

“Viral hemorrhagic fever is a generic name for a number of rather exotic diseases that are found in Africa,” Saskatchewan’s deputy medical health officer Dr. Denise Werker  said, noting one of the fevers could be Ebola.

The CBC Twitter page ran a series of tweets a couple of hours ago:

“There is no risk to the general public,”Werker noted, when asked about the danger of ebola. “We recognize that there is going to be a fair amount of concern and that is why we wanted to go public with this as soon as possible.”

Earlier today, the Public Health Agency of Canada released a travel notice for travelers to Guinea and the Ebola outbreak.

In the advisory, health officials offer recommendations to help you avoid Ebola:

1. Avoid direct contact with blood and other bodily fluids of people with Ebola haemorrhagic fever or unknown illnesses.
   • Avoid direct contact with bodies of people who died of Ebola haemorrhagic fever or unknown illnesses.
   • Avoid unprotected sexual intercourse with an infected person or a person recovering from Ebola haemorrhagic fever.
   • Avoid contact with any objects, such as needles, that have been contaminated with blood or bodily fluids.
   • Health care workers should practise strict infection control measures including the use of personal protective equipment (i.e., gowns, masks, goggles and gloves).
2. Avoid close contact with or handling of wild animals.
   • The following animals may be carriers: chimpanzees, gorillas, monkeys, forest antelope, pigs, porcupines, duikers and fruit bats.
   • Remember, both live and dead animals can spread the virus.
   • Avoid handling wild meat.
3. Know the symptoms of Ebola haemorrhagic fever and see a health care provider if they develop.
   • Seek medical attention immediately, if a fever and any other symptoms arise during or after travel.
   • Be sure to tell your healthcare provider that you have travelled to a region where Ebola haemorrhagic fever was present.

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