Cuban doctor diagnosed with Ebola in Sierra Leone reaches Geneva

Last Updated on Friday, 21 November 2014, 22:13 by GxMedia

In this photo provided by the Geneva University Hospital, Cuban doctor Felix Baez Sarria, who contracted Ebola in Sierra Leone, arrives at the hospital on Friday. (Julien Gregorio/Geneva University Hospital

International Desk, Nov 21 (EFE).- Cuban doctor Felix Baez Sarria, who contracted Ebola in Sierra Leone, has reached Geneva for treatment at the Geneva University Hospital, Swiss public broadcaster RTS reported Friday.

The 43-year-old Cuban medic, specialist in internal medicine, was a part of the ‘Henry Reeve’ International Contingent of Doctors and traveled to the African country in the beginning of October.

Baez reached Geneva airport around 23:30 (22:30 GMT) Thursday and walked out of the airplane before being driven to the hospital in an ambulance, escorted by the police, RTS said.

He is reportedly the first Ebola patient to receive treatment in Switzerland.

According to a November 16 Cuban Health Ministry report, Baez began suffering from fever but did not show other symtoms, and was transfered to an Ebola treatment center in Kerry Town.

On November 17, tests were conducted and he was found to have Ebola.

The report further said that on the proposal of the World Health Organization, Baez Sarria would be transfered to the Geneva University Hospital, a center specialized in the treatment of highly infectuous diseases.

Cuba has sent three teams health specialists, including doctors and nurses, to the countries in western Africa ravaged by the Ebola epidemic.