Ebola virus outbreak latest: Alarm raised after substance labeled 'EBOLA' found in PALMA
GETTY The jar marked 'Ebola' was found in Palma, Mallorca
Balearic health minister Patricia Gomez confirmed that the jar, found in a building in the island’s capital, did not contain blood infected with the deadly substance.
Instead, it contained a viscous substance similar to toy slime.
Police are investigating the incident after the container was left in the building in Arxiduc Street.
If apprehended, the person responsible could be charged with a public disorder offence.
GETTY An attendant disinfects shoes at a hospital in the Congolese city of Mbandaka
The alarm was raised on Friday evening after a neighbour called police to report that the pot containing a red substance resembling blood had been left in a hallway in the building, with the label Filioviriade Ebola RNA Virus.
Emergency services were scrambled immediately, and the building was isolated for more than three hours, with residents prevented from leaving their homes or entering them if outside.
Health officials wearing hazmat suits entered the building to remove the container, which was immediately transferred to Son Espase hospital.
Several hours later, it was transported to Barajas, and from there taken to the Spanish capital of Madrid, where it was taken to the National Centre of Microbiology for analysis.
GETTY An Ebola health worker cleans equipment at a quarantine unit in the DRC
The lab concluded that the reddish liquid did not contain any infected blood, but rather a substance “similar to blandiblú”, or an inoffensive gel found in toy shops.
The incident is being treated as a prank by police, who have nevertheless launched an investigation in a bid to find out who left the jar in the building, hence triggering the panic, and for what reason they did so.
The incident comes at a time of heightened tension with respect to the illness.
An outbreak confirmed on May 8 had already claimed the lives of 12 people in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) as of yesterday, with a total of 35 confirmed cases.
A vaccination programme aimed at health workers and friends and relatives of confirmed cases got underway today.