Suspected 'Ebola student' discharged

The Zimbabwe government has instructed Wilkins Hospital to discharge the suspected Ebola patient after testing negative for the deadly virus that has killed thousands in West Africa.

There was an Ebola scare in Harare last week after a Congolese student studying at the Harare Polytechnic College was admitted at Wilkins Hospital, suspected of having the Ebola virus.

Initial tests proved that the student had Malaria, and the government sent some samples to South Africa for further tests.

The Minister of Health and Child Care, Dr David Parirenyatwa, who received the results of the tests from South Africa, said the student tested negative for the virus, meaning that the country is free from any Ebola outbreak.

Dr Parirenyatwa said he was pleased with the results and reassured the nation that monitoring measures will continue being implemented to counter any possible outbreak.

He urged health professionals and other students who are studying with the student not to panic.