Nigerian Woman Quarantined in Jerusalem Found To Be Ebola-Free
Graphic by Angelie Zaslavsky
A Nigerian woman visiting Israel who was quarantined in Jerusalem for fear she may have contracted Ebola does not have the deadly virus, according to doctors.
The patient, a tourist who works as a nurse in Nigeria’s public health system and arrived in Israel several days ago, was admitted Wednesday to Shaare Zedek Medical Center in Jerusalem with a high fever. She was quarantined on Friday.
Doctors determined on Saturday that she had an infection of the digestive tract, which improved after she was given antibiotics, according to reports.
The World Health Organization said on Sept. 4 that more than 1,900 people have died in West Africa’s Ebola outbreak. There have been 3,500 confirmed or probable cases in Guinea, Sierra Leone and Liberia.
More than 40 percent of the deaths have occurred in the last three weeks, the W.H.O. said, suggesting that the epidemic is fast outpacing efforts to control it, according to the BBC.
Symptoms of the virus, which spreads through bodily fluids, include high fever, bleeding and central nervous system damage. Fatality rate can reach 90 percent, though the current outbreak has mortality rate of about 55 percent.
I’m personally matching all gifts to the Forward, up to $36,000. Can I match your gift now?
Hello, fellow Forward reader! I’m Joel Brown, a Forward reader and supporter for more than 15 years, and currently the chair of the board of directors.
I’m an avid Forward reader because it ticks so many of my essential boxes: excellent journalism, Jewish focus and diverse viewpoints. In today’s political climate, what I most appreciate is the Forward’s independence — made possible by the generosity of its membership.
The Forward is committed to bringing you unbiased, nuanced Jewish news. From my position as board chair, I see an exciting future as we expand our position as the definitive independent voice of contemporary American Judaism.
— Joel Brown, Forward board chair
Support our mission to tell the Jewish story fully and fairly.
