By NOEL MURPHY
AMBULANCE officers went into biohazard emergency mode when they transported a suspected Ebola suffererer to Geelong hospital last month.
The man displayed flu-like symptoms after recently returning from a cruise-ship tour that included Africa, a health care professional told the Independent..
Ambulance crews adopted biohazard precautions when transferring him to hospital.
The Independent has seen private photos showing health staff in head-to-toe protective gear while wheeling a patient on a gurney into emergency.
The health care professional, who produced the images and spoke on condition of anonymity, told the Independent the patient was suspected of carrying the deadly Ebola virus.
But Barwon Health denied any patients with “probable Ebola” had presented at the hospital.
“Barwon Health has not had any patients with probable Ebola present at University Hospital Geelong,” spokesperson Kate Bibby said.
“In accordance with the Victorian Ebola Disease Response Plan, no notifications were given regarding a patient with Ebola-like symptoms.
“We treat all returning travellers who present with a fever as high risk and isolate them accordingly until investigations clear them.
“As part of our preparedness for Ebola and other haemorrhagic disease, we actively practice the use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), including access to and from the ambulance bay using this equipment.“
The case follows the testing of two children suspected of carrying Ebola at Melbourne’s Royal Children’s Hospital in February. Both were cleared.
The virus has killed more than 8500 victims across western Africa, including 500 health care workers.
Victorian health department spokesperson Bram Alexander said the state had a plan to deal with Ebola.
“I can tell you with all honesty that Victoria remains Ebola-free and we have very robust processes in place to manage anyone who might be returning from those areas showing signs or symptoms of Ebola infection.”
Mr Alexander could not say whether other suspected Ebola cases had been treated in Victoria.
“There may have been others but they would have been dealt with in the appropriate way but we don’t flag cases. The thing is there are processes we’ve got at airports and elsewhere that kick into place and appropriate action is taken.”
Updated in November, the 42-page Victorian Ebola Virus Disease Plan details patient and specimen control, infection prevention and control, environmental and waste management, preparedness, immediate responses and additional actions for departments and agencies.
