A student in the US has been put into isolation with a mystery disease, sparking fears of Ebola .
Kentucky state officials are investigating the case at Barbourville Appalachian Regional Healthcare Hospital along with Centres for Disease Control and Prevention.
The patient is a student at Union College. University President Dr Marcia Hawkins has asked locals to keep them "in your prayers" but said there was no immediate risk to the public.
The case has prompted rumours on social media the student has contracted the Ebola virus which is currently ravaging parts of Africa and killed more than 11,000 people in Western Africa between 2013 and 2016.
Barbourville residents told local media they were shocked by the "very scary" disease in their community.
Dr Hawkins has denied the Ebola rumours, claiming the student has not travelled out of the country or come into contact with the virus.
Their disease, which is reportedly not airborne, is still unknown. Health officials are carrying out tests to identify the virus.
Barbourville ARH Hospital is still open and is currently accepting patients as normal.
The Kentucky Department for Public Health is still assessing if there's a threat to public health, but said the wider community is not believe to be at risk as "appropriate protocols were followed at the hospital to prevent exposure to other patients".
Health
Anyone in Barbourville experiencing symptoms of a virus, including fever, nausea, body aches or lethargy is encouraged to seek medical assistance immediately.
Ebola symptoms include fever, a sore threat, muscle pain and headaches. Those infected often experience vomiting, diarrhoea and a rash along with poor liver and kidney function. External and internal bleeding is also common.
The virus kills, on average, 50% of the people it infects.
