Ebola Scare in Australia as Gold Coast Hospital Isolates Suspected Patient

The first case of Ebola is feared to have finally arrived in Australia as a man suspected of carrying the virus is currently in isolation in a Gold Coast hospital. According to reports, doctors believe the possibility of the patient having Ebola is "exceedingly unlikely."

Dr John Gerrard, head of infectious diseases at Gold Coast Health, examined the patient and declared him unlikely to have Ebola. The man, who came back from Africa recently, had fallen seriously ill. Paramedics responded to an emergency call from the man's home in Southport. Based on the initial assessment of ambulance officers, the patients showed possible symptoms of Ebola virus.

The man was rushed to the Gold Coast University Hospital where doctors placed him in isolation while he is being subjected to more tests. Health experts said the symptoms of Ebola virus usually appear within seven to nine days after infection.

Gerrard, a leading expert in infectious diseases, said the patient will remain in isolation as required by the universal infection control procedures. He added that the hospital may be new but it was designed to accommodate and treat people with infectious diseases.

University of Queensland Associate Professor Ian Mackay believes there is "virtually zero" risk to public health should the patient be declared positive for Ebola. The virologist said if the man was in the late stages of Ebola, those who had contact with him for a long period may have been exposed. The possibility was highly unlikely, he said.

Mackay explained that the virus will spread through contact with bodily fluids like blood, vomit, feces. He revealed that Africa uses bleach as a disinfectant which causes the skin to split open and increase the risk of infection to others.

Brisbane Times reported that a spokesperson for Queensland Health said the patient in Gold Coast had symptoms similar to Ebola. She reiterated that the initial symptoms of the virus were also associated with the flu.

The Australian Medical Association is calling for the country to provide more support in the ongoing fight against the Ebola outbreak in West Africa. Reports said the death toll is currently nearing 2,300. Professor Brian Owler urged the government to develop a plan to help control what experts describe as the worst Ebola outbreak in history.