A 54-year-old woman with suspected symptoms of Ebola was admitted to Government Medical College hospital in Kottayam on Thursday.

The woman who had returned from South Sudan is a native of Valavoor, Pala. She had come to a private hospital in Pala for treatment on Wednesday following fever. Given the circumstances, the health department officials intervened and shifted her to the Medical College Hospital for further evaluation.

The patient is under observation in a special isolation ward in the hospital. According to hospital sources, a special team has been appointed to monitor her. She, however, does not exhibit any other symptoms typically associated with Ebola, although there is a slight variation in her fever.

Confirmation of whether she has contracted Ebola can come only after the results of the swab sample sent to Thiruvananthapuram are received. Authorities said a medical board will be formed to decide on further treatment.

“ The woman travelled to Kerala from Sudan via Uganda. Once the case is confirmed, a contact list of the patient will also be prepared,” Health Minister K. Muraleedharan said.

Ebola is a viral haemorrhagic fever that spreads through direct contact with the bodily fluids of infected persons or contaminated materials. The incubation period ranges from two to 21 days.