Suspected case of Ebola in Kerala: Woman from South Sudan under isolation in Kottayam Medical College

A 52-year-old Kerala woman, who reached the state from South Sudan on Wednesday, has been isolated in the Kottayam Medical College with suspected symptoms of Ebola.

According to officials, the woman had visited a private hospital in Pala for treatment for fever. Considering her travel history, the health department was alerted, after which she was transferred to the Kottayam Medical College by Wednesday night. She is currently in isolation in the Infectious Diseases Department at the Kottayam Medical College. 

Dr Netto George Mundadan, Assistant Professor of the Department of Infectious Diseases at the Medical College, said the woman had reached Kerala alone and was not accompanied by anyone else.

"The health services transferred her here, and we were already prepared with isolation facilities. She isn't feverish but is vomiting a little. We have also sent her samples for testing to the Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology, Thiruvananthapuram. The results are expected within 48 hours. Depending on the results, the further plan of action will be decided," the doctor said. 

The patient hails from Valavoor in Pala. The personnel from the Directorate of Health Services (DHS)  are already visiting the homes of those on the contact list, tracing the required people and sending them for quarantine. The process started on Wednesday itself, the doctor said.