The Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) has apparently hit Pretoria. Rumours are doing the rounds on social media that someone has been admitted to a private hospital after suspicions that she might have contracted the viral infection.
A nurse at the private hospital posted information on her Facebook that someone with EVD had been admitted the intensive care unit.
Joe Maila, spokesperson for the ministry of health, said on Thursday morning he had no knowledge of someone in Pretoria contracting the illness. However, South Africa had been placed on high alert following the reported outbreak of the EVD in West Africa.
Maila said in a statement surveillance activities were extremely effective and South Africans should not panic. Every possible safety measure was being put into place.
According to the World Health Organisation, the EVD is a severe acute viral illness often characterised by the sudden onset of fever, intense weakness, muscle pain, headache and sore throat.
This is followed by vomiting, diarrhoea, rash, impaired kidney and liver function, and in some cases, both internal and external bleeding. Laboratory findings include low white blood cell and platelet counts and elevated liver enzymes.
