A 69-year-old Roselle man taken to a Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in Rahway last night for possible Ebola has been found to have malaria, according to early test results.
Hospital spokeswoman, Donna Mancuso, confirmed last night that a man - that had recently returned from Nigeria - was brought in via EMS after experiencing several days of high fever and vomiting similar to the symptoms known to be associated with Ebola.
The hospital has taken all precautionary measurements as per CDC guidelines, Mancuso said. The patient was isolated, Mancuso added.
Despite confirmation from the hospital, (Shortly after) the Rahway Police Department issued a NIXEL alert stating, “Despite media reports there is no health issue concerning any communicable health threat at Robert Wood Johnson Rahway at this time. Any information to the contrary is without any factual basis, and if there was even the smallest threat we would of course immediately alert our citizens. TO BE ABSOLUTELY CLEAR, THERE IS NO PUBLIC HEALTH THREAT AT THIS TIME.”
Earlier tests late last night, indicated that the patient was suffering from Malaria discarding the previous concerns that the patient contracted Ebola.
"In consultation with the New Jersey Department of Health, RWJ Rahway was advised that it is unnecessary to further pursue the diagnosis of Ebola," Mancuso said this morning.
Patient has been transferred to another hospital for further treatment, Mancuso added.