KOTTAYAM: A 52-year-old woman who returned from South Sudan is suspected of having Ebola. She is currently under observation at Kottayam Medical College Hospital. Yesterday, she sought treatment for a fever at a private hospital in Pala. Upon suspicion, the Health Department intervened and transferred her to the Medical College Hospital.
A specialized team has been assigned to monitor her in the isolation ward. She exhibits no other symptoms of Ebola. Hospital authorities reported that her fever is fluctuating slightly. Samples collected from her have been sent to a laboratory in Thiruvananthapuram. Confirmation of whether or not it is Ebola will only be possible once the results are received. The hospital administration stated that a medical board would be constituted to decide on the course of further treatment.
Ebola is a viral disease that can cause life-threatening infection. Fruit bats are the primary carriers of this virus. The disease spreads through direct contact with the body fluids of infected humans or animals. Symptoms appear within two to 21 days of the virus entering the body. Symptoms include high fever, fatigue, headache, sore throat, muscle pain, vomiting, and diarrhea. In severe cases, the disease can cause damage to internal organs and lead to bleeding. Early treatment increases the chances of survival.
