Ebola virus outbreak latest: Alarm raised after substance labeled 'EBOLA' found in PALMA
SPANISH authorities reassured people in Mallorca after an analysis showed that a plastic jar labelled “Ebola” found in a building in the city of Palma was in fact harmless.
Balearic health minister Patricia Gomez confirmed that the jar, found in a building in the island’s capital, did not contain blood infected with the deadly substance.
Instead, it contained a viscous substance similar to toy slime.
Police are investigating the incident after the container was left in the building in Arxiduc Street.
If apprehended, the person responsible could be charged with a public disorder offence.
The alarm was raised on Friday evening after a neighbour called police to report that the pot containing a red substance resembling blood had been left in a hallway in the building, with the label Filioviriade Ebola RNA Virus.
Emergency services were scrambled immediately, and the building was isolated for more than three hours, with residents prevented from leaving their homes or entering them if outside.
Health officials wearing hazmat suits entered the building to remove the container, which was immediately transferred to Son Espase hospital.
Several hours later, it was transported to Barajas, and from there taken to the Spanish capital of Madrid, where it was taken to the National Centre of Microbiology for analysis.
The lab concluded that the reddish liquid did not contain any infected blood, but rather a substance “similar to blandiblú”, or an inoffensive gel found in toy shops.
The incident is being treated as a prank by police, who have nevertheless launched an investigation in a bid to find out who left the jar in the building, hence triggering the panic, and for what reason they did so.
The incident comes at a time of heightened tension with respect to the illness.
An outbreak confirmed on May 8 had already claimed the lives of 12 people in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) as of yesterday, with a total of 35 confirmed cases.
A vaccination programme aimed at health workers and friends and relatives of confirmed cases got underway today.
World Health Organisation begin Ebola vaccinations in Congo
Speaking earlier today, Michael Ryan, assistant director-general of the World Health Organisation (WHO), said: "Things are improving but I don't believe we've yet detected every possible case so we are remaining at very high alert.
"We're dealing with extremes here, a densely populated city at one end, to a deep forest situation at the other.
"The response has been a lot stronger with a lot more resources brought to bear.
"It hasn't made the difference yet but when we look back in hindsight it will be noted that this early stage and massive mobilisation of resources will have helped."