Ebola virus potential exposure at national lab in Winnipeg, federal officials announce

An employee at the national animal health lab in Winnipeg was potentially exposed to the Ebola virus yesterday, federal officials say.

The employee was wearing a protective suit and noticed a split as he prepared to move a pig infected with the virus. 

The employee has put himself in isolation for 21 days.

The risk to the public is considered low because the individual is not showing any symptoms and is not considered infectious, officials said Tuesday.

He was offered an experimental vaccine.

Dr. Theresa Tam of the Public Health Agency of Canada said the organization is respecting the employee’s privacy regarding whether he or not he accepted the vaccine.