Johannesburg - The Department of Health in South Africa has confirmed that reports of a woman purportedly displaying Ebola symptoms were part of a simulation exercise in Lesotho.
Media reports on Thursday morning said a woman had crossed the Ficksburg border between Free State and Lesotho, into South Africa, displaying signs of the deadly virus.
Health Minister Dr Zweli Mkhize’s spokesperson, Dr Lwazi Manzi, confirmed to Independent Media that the woman had been partaking in a simulation exercise.
“(I have) just confirmed with (an) advisor that it is a simulation and that statement is being worked on,” she said.
The department said it would provide further information in a statement on Thursday.
The reports of the Ebola virus in South Africa emerged from an Eyewitness News report which said health officials had confirmed the first case of Ebola in the country.
The report said the woman was rushed to hospital where tests confirmed the virus. EWN reported that the woman had purportedly come in contact with someone from the Democratic Republic of Congo, which has been ravaged by the deadly virus in recent years.
The error appeared to have been introduced by Lesotho's Health Minister Nkaku Kabi, who confirmed the woman had contracted the virus, only to later correct it as a simulation exercise.
According to News24, the International Health Regulations (IHR) in Lesotho also confirmed there had been an Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) exercise simulation on Wednesday between the border gates of Ficksburg and Maputsoe.
"This was first Small Scale Field Simulation Exercise (SSFX) conducted to test the preparedness and response to the PHEIC," the IHR said.
"The IHR office therefore wishes to inform the public and all other stakeholders that the minister of health will release a statement to address the outcomes of the simulation exercise ... in Leribe," the IHR said.
Meanwhile, South Africans had started to fear the worst on Thursday morning on social media.
So yesterday’s “Ebola case” was an exercise to see how our health care system would respond if there’s a real Ebola case??? pic.twitter.com/xB3jRxzVAm
— Nku Ea Sehlabelo (@MpeoMphou) November 14, 2019
#EbolaInLesotho #Ebola
— BuhleMafani (@BuhleChef) November 14, 2019
I ain't risking shit!!! This is how I party in December... Simulation Exercise or not! Me I'm here 👇👇 you dont play with Ebola like that.. pic.twitter.com/n1oOUneALC
This is extremely scary, Ebola is next door. pic.twitter.com/FndNpMSCTW
— James Bond Nkosi (@BondNkosi) November 14, 2019
Lesotho health minister say this Ebola outbreak was a simulation, mxm!! madoda.... We demand free water for the next two months as an apology, for causing panic....😑 pic.twitter.com/8f4thtiyAI
— sandile_collin (@sandile_collin) November 14, 2019