Johannesburg – Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi has accused the DA of politicising a suspected case of Ebola, according to reports.
Motsoaledi held an urgent press conference on Thursday at Edenvale General Hospital, in Johannesburg, in response to a statement made by DA’s Jack Bloom.
Bloom’s statement came after a Guinean woman, suspected to have been infected by the virus, was admitted at Rahima Moosa Mother and Child Hospital after going in to labour.
The woman had a high fever and she was screened for the virus.
According to The Citizen, Bloom who was the first person to make a statement on the suspected Ebola case, said the woman was being kept in isolation, adding that she would be referred to Charlotte Maxeke Hospital if she was tested negative for Ebola.
Motsoaledi said there were no reported cases of Ebola in South Africa, and that the country was well prepared in any event.
According to media reports Motsoaledi said Blooms statement sent the media into a frenzy.
Mayleen Vincent tweeted: “Minster Motsoaledi slammed DA's Jack Bloom for creating unnecessary anxiety regarding the woman from Guinea.”
Power 98.7 News tweeted: “Motsoaledi: She tested negative for Ebola...but because of the DA's statement we called this briefing.”
According to the radio broadcaster: “Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi says the DA is itching for someone to get Ebola.”
Jacaranda News tweeted: “Motsoaledi says they will never hide an Ebola outbreak in SA - it is in their interest to deal with it asap.”