Ebola virus ruled-out on ship with Georgian citizens
By Tea Mariamidze
Tuesday, October 21
The Georgian media released information on October 19 that Georgian citizens were on a cruise ship, where the deadly Ebola virus was detected.
Rustavi 2 reported on October 19 that owing to the Ebola threat the cruise ship changed its route and returned to Texas. The ship was heading for Mexico.
Rustavi 2 contacted one of the sailor’s friends who stated that the Ebola virus was detected on the ship and the individual, who appeared to die, was isolated. He also told the TV channel that according to his friend, all the people of the ship are being prepared for quarantine.
The head of the National Center for Disease Control and Public Health of Georgia said the passengers, including the Georgian citizens aboard the cruise ship, do not face any threat with regard to Ebola.
"A person having been quarantined aboard the ship for some time has been examined and it has been proved that the blood test related to Ebola virus infection is negative,” Amiran Gamkrelidze said.
Minister of Health Davit Segeenko stated that there is a very low risk the virus to appear in Georgia. The minister stated that Georgia acts in line with the international regulations and observes all the individuals who arrive from the infected countries.
Several people among 84 passengers arriving in Georgia from West Africa are being examined for possible Ebola virus infection, the head of the Supervisory Board of the National Center for Disease Control and Public Health Paata Imnadze stated.
“Around 84 people have arrived in Georgia from West Africa over the last three months,” he said. “Most of them came from Nigeria. They will not be examined after a 21-day quarantine period.”
Ebola hemorrhagic fever is a deadly disease that can be transmitted through unprotected direct contact with the blood or body fluids secretions of an infected person, as well as through contact with objects that the infected person touched.
There is no special treatment or a vaccine for Ebola. The outbreak began in early 2014 in West Africa.
