Red Cross Nurse Working in Sierra Leone Dies of Ebola

A nurse working for the Red Cross in Sierra Leone has died of Ebola in the eastern district of Kenema, where no new cases had been reported for 37 days, the organisation said.

A Red Cross nurse working in Sierra Leone has died of Ebola in the eastern district of Kenema. The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) said in a statement, "The man, who was working at the IFRC Ebola treatment center in Kenema, passed away on 13 January 2015 and was confirmed positive for Ebola virus disease later that day."

The Red Cross said that it was carrying out an investigation to determine how and where the deceased became infected, and 29 people who had contact with him were being monitored for symptoms of Ebola. District medical officer Mohamed Vandy said, "The family and co-workers of the deceased are now quarantined for 21 days, the maximum incubation period for the virus."

Ebola Virus Disease | Ebola Hemorrhagic Fever: Cause Symptoms Diagnosis Treatment
Ebola is caused by a virus via direct contact with body fluids or infected blood. Scientists have identified five types of Ebola or Ebola hemorrhagic fever virus.

Prior to the nurse's death, Kenema district had not reported any new case of Ebola for 37 days. Health ministry spokesman Abass Mamara said, "There were no cases reported from December 6, 2014 until Monday, January 12."

Source-Medindia

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