September 30, 2014 - Ottawa, ON
The Public Health Agency of Canada is aware of the individual with Ebola in the United States. The information we have to date is that the individual did not travel through Canada and was not symptomatic, and therefore not contagious, during their travel to the United States.
Our thoughts are with the individual and their family as they deal with this situation.
I want to take this opportunity to remind Canadians that the Ebola virus does not spread easily from person to person. Ebola is spread through direct contact with an individual with symptoms; it is not spread through casual contact, it is not like the flu.
Canada is well prepared with a number of systems in place to identify and prevent the spread of serious infectious diseases like Ebola, such as working closely with our international partners to gather and assess information and administering the Quarantine Act at all points of entry into Canada.
The Public Health Agency of Canada is working closely with its provincial and territorial partners and the Agency’s National Microbiology Laboratory is well connected with its network of provincial labs to ensure Canada is ready to detect and respond quickly.
Canadian hospitals have infection control systems and procedures in place that are designed to limit the spread of infection and protect health care workers. To support these systems, the Public Health Agency has a series of infection control guidelines that are shared with the provinces and territories.
Media Inquiries:
Media Relations
Public Health Agency of Canada
(613) 957-2983
