Parthiban was 1,000 kms away from epicentre

Chennai:The first person to be suspected of carrying the Ebola virus was at least 1,000 kms away from the epicenter of the Ebola infected places in Guinea. His friends, who reached the Rajiv Gandhi hospital on Sunday morning said Parthiban studied till plus two in Theni district and since then had been working in a plastic company in Guinea for the past four years.

 

"We came to know that Parthiban had been taken to the hospital and was in ward 215. From casualty he was shifted to the general ward.  He was isolated for various tests and he felt very lonely. His father has been diagnosed with cancer and Parthiban came to Chennai only to visit his ailing father," said his friend. They said Parthiban had been administered a vaccine in Guinea (presumably for yellow fever or any other disease as there is no vaccine for Ebola currently).

 

A senior health official informed that there was no threat and no need to panic. "Parthiban will be under surveillance in Theni for 21 days," the official said. Meanwhile, 104 health helpline has been receiving calls from people across the state,who are anxiously enquiring about the Ebola virus and its symptoms.

 

B. Prabhudoss, regional manager of GVK EMRI, which runs 108 helpline said people were calling seeking info, do's and don'ts. "They are curious to know about precautions to be undertaken. This helpline will clear misconception about the Ebola virus. 104 will give authentic information," he added.

 

"As of August 2014, countries have reported 1,779 cases, including 961 deaths," PAHO/WHO said in a statement. This is currently the largest EVD outbreak ever recorded. On Friday, WHO declared the illness as an international health emergency.