

Paul Johnston, CP24.com





A patient at a Toronto hospital is being tested for the Ebola virus, an internal memo sent to University Health Network staff confirms.

In the message sent to staff late Thursday afternoon, UHN officials said that a patient with a fever and a travel history from West Africa was being tested for the virus.

“It is very unlikely that the patient has Ebola but a test has been ordered as a precaution,” the email states.

“The patient is in isolation and the staff caring for the patient are using personal protective equipment (PPE) while caring for the patient until the test results have returned.

"Ebola is one of several diagnoses being considered at this point and we will follow set procedures to determine what the patient care needs are.”

Details on the age and gender of the patient were not provided.

Speaking with CP24 Thursday night, a representative with UHN said that all necessary protocols were being followed.

“I think it is going to be exceedingly unlikely that this person is going to have Ebola,” Michael Gardam, director of infection prevention and control at UHN, said.

“If you decide to test, you really have to treat them as if they have Ebola up until the point where that test comes back negative. So that’s what we’re doing now.

“I am personally not concerned at all that this person will have Ebola.”

The patient - who had recently been to Nigeria - is being treated at Toronto General Hospital, Gardam said.

Initial test results are expected within 24 hours.