By CATHERINE NYIRENDA?-
A PATIENT admitted to Mumbwa District Hospital with suspected Ebola? virus has tested negative for the deadly disease, Ministry of Health? acting spokesperson Dennis Mulenga has confirmed.
Dr Mulenga said the results of the patient’s medical examinations ?conducted at Mumbwa District hospital tested negative of the Ebola?virus.
Dr Mulenga, however, advised the public to continue being vigilant?against the deadly Ebola virus which has claimed about 2,000 people in?West Africa.
‘‘The results have come out negative, but we appeal to the general?public to take care of themselves and report any suspected strange?disease and symptoms,’’ Dr Mulenga said in an interview.
The ministry conducted investigations following reports that Mumbwa ?District was investigating a patient for possible Ebola virus.
According to the reports, the patient, believed to have travelled from?Congo, had been held in isolation as doctors were examining him for a?possibility of having contracted Ebola.
The first suspected case involved a Congolese truck driver who?recently entered the country and fell ill in Mumbwa.
Dr Mulenga praised the Ministry of Health for acting promptly to?quarantine the patient which was testimony of how the ministry was?prepared to handle Ebola if it were to break out in Zambia.
He said while the patient had tested negative, he could not rule out?the possibility of him having the Ebola virus and that it was the?reason he was still quarantined.