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Written By: Editorial Team | Published : October 27, 2014 9:46 AM IST
Australian authorities said early today that a teenager who was in isolation in hospital had tested negative for Ebola after she developed a fever following her arrival from Guinea. The 18-year-old, who arrived in Australia 12 days ago with eight other family members, had been in home quarantine in Brisbane before she developed a raised temperature and was put into isolation at the Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital yesterday.
'The Queensland Chief Health Officer, Dr Jeannette Young, reports the results of tests on an 18-year-old woman in Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital are negative for Ebola virus disease,' a statement from the office of the Queensland Minister for Health said. Young had said earlier that a second test would be taken in three days.
She would not specify the teenager's nationality, but said she was moving to Australia permanently and authorities had been informed of her family's arrival several days before the flight. The rest of the woman's family was quarantined at home. Young said Queensland health authorities were monitoring four families from Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone, where the vast majority of Ebola cases have occurred. (Read: 10 reasons that make the Ebola virus deadly for humans)
The number of Ebola infections has surpassed 10,000 and the death toll neared 5,000 worldwide, mainly in the three West African nations. There have been no confirmed Ebola cases in Australia. (Read: 8 tips to prevent Ebola infection)
What is the Ebola incubation period?
The Ebola virus disease (EVD) is a serious clinical condition caused by a virus. Also known as Ebola hemorrhagic fever, the virus spreads through close contact with the body fluids of an infected person. Ebola is considered to be a clinical emergency all over the world and hence it is important to be aware of its symptoms and incubation period to prevent health issues.
The incubation period of the Ebola virus is 2 21 days which means that a person infected with the virus takes around 2 to 21 days to show symptoms of this disease. Although in most cases the symptoms appeared after 8-10 days after being infected with the virus. It is in this period of incubation that the virus attacks the immune system. Read more about What is the Ebola incubation period?
With inputs from PTI
Photo source: Getty images
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