Ebola: first case in France – a humanitarian doctor returning from the Congo
The man was immediately taken to a specialist hospital and is in a stable condition
The first case of Ebola in France was confirmed today by the Ministry of Health. The patient who tested positive is a humanitarian doctor returning from one of the areas in the Democratic Republic of the Congo where the virus is circulating. The man was immediately admitted to a specialist hospital and is in a stable condition.
The Ministry of Health has “confirmed the identification of the first case of Ebola virus disease on national territory”, specifying that the case was identified on French territory. “The Prime Minister is monitoring the situation very closely,” the government said.
The hospitalised patient has been ‘isolated’ in a specialist facility since his arrival on French soil, the ministry confirmed. His transfer to hospital was carried out ‘under safe conditions in order to avoid any risk of infection’. ‘Strict biosafety protocols’ are currently being followed, ‘in particular through the use of a negative-pressure room’.
A thorough epidemiological investigation has been launched to identify those who may have come into contact with the patient: “These individuals will be contacted without delay by the regional health authority, will self-isolate at home for 21 days and will be closely monitored during this period.”
“At present, there is no danger to the public,” Dr Imad Kansau, an infectious diseases specialist at the Antoine-Béclère Hospital in Clamart, told BFM TV, adding that the protocol being followed by the health authorities is “very reassuring”.
