The two people have been rushed to Sacco Hospital in Milan, northern Italy, after developing suspected symptoms of Ebola following a trip to Uganda
Two suspected cases of a deadly virus have been identified in Europe within the past 24 hours. Both patients have displayed symptoms including high fever, nausea and vomiting, and have been rushed to hospital for urgent treatment.
The suspected Ebola cases have been reported in northern Italy, with health authorities confirming that a 31 year old man and a 33 year old woman developed symptoms of the virus upon returning from Uganda. This comes amid an ongoing outbreak of Ebola in parts of Africa, which is contracted through contact with the bodily fluids of an infected person or animal.
Rhe man suspected of carrying the deadly virus is from Bulgarograsso, while the woman is from Lurate Caccivo. Both had spent three months in Uganda working in humanitarian aid before recently making their return to Italy.
Both individuals have been transferred to Sacco Hospital in Milan, with the woman potentially needing intensive care. While both had travelled to Uganda with their respective families, it remains unclear whether their family members are also displaying any symptoms.
Guido Bertolaso, Lombardi’s regional welfare minister, said: “Seven Italian citizens, members of two different families, returned from Uganda, from an area not far from the border with the DRC and Rwanda.”
“They returned after a stay of about three months in those territories. They are co-operators, volunteers who went to those territories to help people who certainly live in much more difficult and problematic conditions than ours.
“Back in Italy, 24 hours ago, two of these citizens showed symptoms of fever during the night, in one case very high with nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, and also mild neurological symptoms.”
Both patients had spent time near the Ugandan border with the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda. The region is being closely watched amid a surge in Ebola cases.
The NHS continues to urge Brits to “check the Ebola risk for the country you’re travelling to before you go”. The Health Service adds: “If you’re travelling to an area where Ebola is found, get advice from a travel clinic before you go. It’s best to do this at least 4 to 6 weeks before you travel, but you can still get advice at the last minute if you need to.”
Figures reveal that almost 1,000 suspected cases of Ebola have been recorded since May 15. The death toll currently stands at around 220.
Symptoms of Ebola
According to the NHS, symptoms can emerge between 2 and 21 days after becoming infected.
They can appear suddenly and include flu-like symptoms, such as a high temperature, extreme tiredness and a headache.
Other symptoms include:
The health service also urges people to call 111 if they have travelled to a country where Ebola is found. You should also ring the number if you come into contact with someone who has visited a country where Ebola is present. The NHS states: “Ebola is an emergency and needs to be treated quickly. You’ll usually be treated in isolation in hospital and will need specialist care in an intensive care unit.”
