Man said to have Ebola being treated for different viral infection — Health chief

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Dr Jamilah Hashim

SIBU: The man, whose story about him contracting Ebola virus has gone viral on social media, is currently being treated for a different viral infection.

According to state Health Department director Dr Jamilah Hashim, the symptoms on him do not resemble those identified for Ebola infection – even the duration of the symptoms has surpassed that of the deadly disease.

This, she stresses, affirms that the man’s illness is not caused by Ebola.

“The Sarawak Health Department (JKNS) noted the report on a social media site, related to a 47-year-old Iban man from Kapit who was found to have passed out at 3.30pm in a supermarket in Sibu on Sunday (May 27) – suspected to be due to having contracted a dangerous virus.

“According to early reports received from Sibu Hospital, the patient is still unconscious and is relying on a respirator. He is a worker returning here for the holidays from the Democratic Republic of Congo on April 29 this year – it is discovered that his working area is not from the Ebola epidemic area.

“Sibu Hospital is still conducting further investigation to confirm the cause of this case,” she said in a statement yesterday.

In this regard, JKNS has instructed Sibu Hospital and Sibu Division Health Office to increase the level of alertness to face any possibilities following the case, Dr Jamilah stressed.

“At the same time, JKNS advises people who return home from abroad, especially from countries in Africa, to seek immediate medical attention at the nearest clinics or hospitals, should they feel sick,” Dr Jamilah advised.