A child from Mali that died at Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) in Kumasi, Ghana, is being investigated as a suspected case of Ebola Viral Disease (EVD), according to the Ghana News Agency today.

Ghana’s Ministry of Health is awaiting the results of blood samples of a 12 year old girl suspected to have been killed by the deadly Ebola virus, the Ultimate 1069 reported. The Noguchi Memorial Institute is carrying out the test to confirm if Ghana has recorded its first case of the disease.

The Mali government has informed the World Health Organization of four suspected cases earlier.

The results of the test will be known by Monday.

EVD was first recognized in 1976 and was named after a river in the Congo. It received a lot of popular attention thanks to the best-seller, “The Hot Zone”.

People can be exposed to Ebola virus from direct contact with the blood and/or secretions of an infected person. Thus, the virus is often spread through families and friends because they come in close contact with such secretions when caring for infected persons. People can also be exposed to Ebola virus through contact with objects, such as needles, that have been contaminated with infected secretions.

The incubation period for EVD ranges from 2 to 21 days. The onset of illness is abrupt and is characterized by fever, headache, joint and muscle aches, sore throat, and weakness, followed by diarrhea, vomiting, and stomach pain. A rash, red eyes, hiccups and internal and external bleeding may be seen in some patients.

The death rate for EVD can be up to 90%. There is no standard treatment for EVD.

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