Winnipeg health providers ask for Ebola-related travel history

WINNIPEG – The Winnipeg Regional Health Authority is warning patients not to be surprised when health care professionals ask them about their travel history.

Anyone exhibiting symptoms that could be consistent with Ebola, the disease decimating some African nations that has recently been reported in the United States, could be asked for detailed information about recent travel.

“We wanted to make sure that people know as flu season approaches they might hear that question more often and not to be alarmed by that, it’s just part of our screening process,” said Helen Clark, the health region’s chief operating officer for emergency response and patient transport.

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Early symptoms of Ebola could include fever, chills, muscle ache, headache, sore throat, nausea, vomiting or diarrhea.

The Public Health Agency of Canada has recommended that health officials ask about travel history as a pre-screening step, but said the public health risk in Canada from Ebola is very low.

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Despite the low risk, the Winnipeg health authority is preparing for the possibility that a person with suspected Ebola could arrive at a local health care facility, officials said.

But for people in Winnipeg’s Sierra Leone community, the fear is real.

“People are worried, they don’t know what to do because they’ve never seen this kind of thing before,” said Abu Bakarr Kamara, Sierra Leone Nationals Association of Manitoba.

Kamara came to Winnipeg from Sierra Leone in 2003, leaving behind his sister and father.

“Whenever they call me I’m worried that the call is going to be about someone being sick or dead, it’s scary,” said Kamara.

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