How the state’s health system responded to the first suspected case
Victoria is strengthening its defenses against two infectious disease threats; As the diphtheria booster vaccine program is launched, health officials are also providing information after the first Ebola scare.
On Tuesday, the province’s Ebola response plan was tested for the first time when a man who had recently returned from an area near Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) arrived at Monash Medical Center’s emergency department with symptoms of the disease.
That evening he was transported by ambulance to the Royal Melbourne Hospital, Victoria’s adult viral haemorrhagic fever health service, where he was placed in a negative pressure room in intensive care.
The scare came just hours after the Department of Health held a meeting with the Royal Melbourne and Royal Children’s Hospitals to discuss their preparations for Ebola in response to a major outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda.
Later tests revealed that the patient was not infected and the patient was discharged on Wednesday.
“The program we have introduced has passed its first real-life test after years of planning and implementation,” said Associate Professor Chris MacIsaac, Director of the Royal Melbourne Intensive Care Unit.
“Everything worked exactly as we thought it would and thankfully the patient survived Ebola.”
On Friday, Victoria’s Chief Health Officer Dr Caroline McEnlay issued an Ebola alert for clinicians. He said clinicians should consider Ebola in patients who have a fever above 38 degrees and a history of infection, have traveled to an outbreak area or have been in contact with someone with the disease.
Ebola is a rare and fatal disease transmitted through contact with infected body fluids. It causes serious symptoms such as intense fever, organ damage and internal bleeding. On Friday, the World Health Organization said there were 906 suspected cases of Ebola and 223 related deaths in the Democratic Republic of Congo. There are seven confirmed cases of Ebola in Uganda.
McEnlay told this outlet that although the risk of Ebola in Australia was low, health services needed to be prepared. The Ministry of Health ensures that hospitals are equipped with personal protective equipment.
“It is a disease with high consequences, with a high mortality rate,” he said.
“While we recognize the risk is low, we are taking this very seriously and are prepared.”
He said health officials were pleased with the health service’s response to the suspected Ebola case earlier this week. They evaluate the response to determine if anything can be improved.
Acting director of the Victoria Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory, Dr. Katherine Bond took action earlier this week after reports of a potential Ebola case. He had been preparing for this moment for a while.
Scientists ensured the laboratory was stocked with the correct reagents for Ebola testing and that staff received special training.
The testing was performed in a high-security laboratory located at the Doherty Institute, the only facility in the state designed to test for the high-risk pathogen.
“It was designed specifically to protect people outside the laboratory from infection,” Bond said.
“It also keeps our scientists safe, so it’s a suit lab like you see in the movies. The scientist wears a special suit to make sure there’s separation between themselves and the sample.”
Scientists ran two different tests on the patient’s blood sample, and both gave negative results.
Ebola isn’t the only deadly disease that has health authorities alarmed.
Last month the chief medical officer of health issued a warning about diphtheria, saying Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people were at risk, particularly those living in or linked to remote communities affected by the current outbreak. People who have not been fully vaccinated against diphtheria and those whose booster shots have expired are also vulnerable, he said.
McEnlay told this outlet that a diphtheria booster vaccination program would be launched in early June for Victorians traveling and working interstate in high-risk areas and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who need the vaccine.
Australia is facing its worst diphtheria outbreak in years, with more than 230 cases of the disease and one death recorded this year. The majority of cases were among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people living in outer regional and remote areas of the Northern Territory and Western Australia. Cases have also been recorded in South Australia and Queensland.
McEnlay said the risk of a diphtheria outbreak in Victoria was low, but cases were likely to emerge among Victorians traveling interstate to outbreak areas.
Health Minister Harriet Shing was recently briefed by the chief medical officer on the current Ebola and diphtheria outbreaks.
“Our health system has learned the lessons of the once-in-100-year epidemic and is applying it to possible cases of other diseases such as Ebola and diphtheria,” Shing said, adding that Victoria had some of the best minds in the world leading public health interventions.
Australian children are vaccinated against diphtheria as part of the regular immunization schedule. It is also included in a vaccine that protects against tetanus and whooping cough.
Adults are recommended to take supplements every five to 10 years to increase their protection and prevent disease.
Respiratory diphtheria is transmitted through droplets emitted by sneezing and coughing. Infection can be fatal and severe swelling throat and neck, which can block a person’s airway and cause breathing difficulties. It can also damage the heart, kidneys, brain and nerves.
Cutaneous diphtheria infects the skin and causes sores and ulcers that do not heal. Infection can spread when these wounds are touched.
Start your day with a summary of the day’s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.
