HSE rules out Ebola in treatment of woman taken to Mater isolation unit
The HSE says it has now ruled out Ebola as a cause
A woman was taken to the National Isolation Unit at the Mater Hospital today after falling ill at her Dublin home, but the HSE has now "ruled out" the disease.
"The patient was considered a low risk for the Ebola Virus but this has now been ruled out," the HSE said in a statement released this lunchtime.
"The HSE must, and does, take each Ebola scenario seriously no matter how low the risk. All appropriate infection control procedures are being taken by all relevant healthcare personnel."
Gardaí had earlier cordoned off the roads at the request of the HSE.
The woman is believed to have returned recently from Nigeria, which was today announced clear of Ebola by the World Health Organisation, having had no new cases for 42 days.
She is continuing to receive treatment at the Mater, and the HSE has said it will preserve the confidentiality of her medical records.
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Emergency protocols are in place to treat people who suffer certain symptoms after returning from a country where Ebola is reported.
"If a case is confirmed in Ireland, the primary concerns will be treatment of the patient and containing the situation," the HSE said today.
They also stressed that the likelihood of a case in Ireland is considered as being low.
