Man from Nigeria sent for Ebola test

Hyderabad: Health authorities at the Gandhi Hospital have sent for testing the samples of a 52-year-old man from Hyderabad, who returned from Nigeria, as a measure of caution against Ebola. The man was suffering from fever and took treatment at a corporate hospital here, but was referred to the state-run Gandhi Hospital.

“As per the definition of World Health Organisation (WHO), he is not a suspect also. Nigeria is already declared as Ebola-free by WHO on October 19,” said Dr K Subhakar, the nodal officer for infectious diseases like Ebola.

“This person has come from Nigeria. He was screened at Mumbai airport. He had no symptoms and he came to Hyderabad by domestic flight. After four days, he developed fever. Because he came from African country, they have suggested him to Gandhi Hospital. We want to be more cautious,” he said.

Since the man travelled in a common flight where passengers from African countries also travel, the samples were sent to National Centre for Disease Control in Delhi for testing, he said. The fever has also come down and he was kept in isolation, he said. The government is taking all necessary measures against the spread of Ebola and has put in an elaborate procedure for checking and screening of air travellers.