Director of the National Operations Centre (NOC) Commander Garvin Heerah yesterday confirmed that the 28-year-old patient admitted to a private health facility exhibiting signs resembling the deadly Ebola virus had shown "marked signs of improvement."Heerah was responding to questions from the Sunday Guardian following reports that a second patient had transferred to and been quarantined at the Caura Hospital late Friday night.
"After extensive checks by the Ministry of Health, the point person designated to treat all issues relating to the Ebola, Chief Medical Officer Dr (Clyde) Tilluckdharry and the NOS was officially informed that no admission was made to the Caura Health Facility with any suspicious signs or symptoms similar to that of Ebola," Heerah said.
He said further checks were made by the Ministry of Health and the District Medical Officer responsible for that area and again, there were no reports of any such admission."The Ministry of Health further advises that there are no reported cases of Ebola in T&T," Heerah said.Minister of Health Dr Fuad Khan said treatment of the patient was strictly precautionary.
"There is no reason to panic. Yes, the man visited Nigeria but there are 110 million people in Nigeria and 17 known cases of Ebola, so yes, while there is a reason for concern, there is no reason for panic," he said.On Friday, the Ministry of Health issued a media release assuring citizens that "there are no confirmed, suspected or potential cases of the Ebola virus in Trinidad and Tobago."
The ministry said the patient was doing well though results of tests on him were pending.