ROME, November 24 (Sputnik) – The first Italian citizen has tested positive for the Ebola virus and was taken to a hospital in Rome, Italian channel Rai News 24 reported Monday.
"I want to reassure the family that our doctor is fine, he did not have fever or other symptoms during the night. This morning he had breakfast and drank on his own. I… assure that the Italian government is wholly at the side of our compatriot," Italy's Health Minister Beatrice Lorenzin said, as quoted by Rai News 24.
The current Ebola epidemic started in southern Guinea in December 2013 and soon spread to Liberia, Sierra Leone, Nigeria and Senegal. The latter two countries have recently been declared free of the virus.
Ebola is transmitted through direct contact with the bodily fluids of those infected. Although there is no officially approved medication for the virus, several countries, including Russia, are currently working on trial vaccines.
