A SUSPECTED case of the lethal Ebola haemorrhagic virus has raised the alarm at an Alicante hospital.
Two Nigerian nationals who had recently been in their country of origin, one a 30-year-old man and the other his sister, were taken in separate ambulances to the hospital in San Juan (Sant Joan) just north of the city.
The brother had a fever of 38.3ºC, the lowest at which Ebola may be a possibility and was described as having 'symptoms' of the deadly condition, although exactly what they are has not been revealed.
His sister did not apparently have any symptoms, but as she had been in close contact with her brother, she was tested – although as yet has shown negative results.
Samples taken from the patients have been sent to Madrid's Carlos III hospital for examination and the results will be known by staff in Alicante in a few days.
In the meantime, both patients remain in isolation wards and anyone who treats them has to wear full body suits, goggles, masks and gloves.
