Scottish Nurse Pauline Cafferkey Previously Diagnosed With Ebola Shows Disease-Related Complications; 58 Individuals Who Had Close Contacts With The Patient Are Monitored
Pauline Cafferkey was previously diagnosed with Ebola virus disease (EVD), an illness that is considered fatal for humans, as per World Health Organization (WHO). The Scottish nurse was reportedly put in an isolation unit due to fever after she arrived from Sierra Leone in December 2014.
The 39-year-old nurse reportedly showed Ebola-related complications after she fell ill just recently. According to NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC), the virus is still present on the body of Cafferkey, as reported by BBC News on Oct. 9.
NHSGGC revealed that Cafferkey was initially admitted at Queen Elizabeth University Hospital on Tuesday before she was transferred to the Royal Free Hospital on Friday because of an "unusual late complication" in her disease.
"Pauline's condition is a complication of a previous infection with the Ebola virus," said Dr. Emilia Crighton of NHSGGC.
"The risk to the public is very low. In line with normal procedures in cases such as this, we have identified a small number of close contacts of Pauline's that we will be following up as a precaution," she added.
Meanwhile, 58 individuals who had close contact with the patients were recommended to have Ebola vaccine. These people include health workers, friends, family members and community contacts. The Guardian reported Oct. 12 that 40 people have already accepted the Ebola vaccine.
"All close contacts of Pauline Cafferkey since she became symptomatic have now been identified," NHSGGC said in a dispatch.
"[The expert group] has agreed that, as a precautionary measure, close contacts who have been established as having had direct contact with any bodily fluids would be offered vaccination. These vaccinations have now taken place."
"It is important to stress once again that there is no risk to the general public. Ebola is not spread through ordinary social contact, such as shaking hands or sitting next to someone. Nor is it spread through airborne particles," NHSGGC added.
