Lagos - A Texas health worker who may have had contact with
specimens from the first patient diagnosed with Ebola in the United
States has been isolated on a cruise ship despite showing no
symptoms of the disease, the Department of State said on Friday.
specimens from the first patient diagnosed with Ebola in the United
States has been isolated on a cruise ship despite showing no
symptoms of the disease, the Department of State said on Friday.
The Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital worker, who did not have
direct contact with now deceased Liberian patient Thomas Eric
Duncan but could have processed his bodily fluids 19 days ago, left
on a cruise from Galveston on Sunday, department spokeswoman Jen
Psaki said in a statement.
direct contact with now deceased Liberian patient Thomas Eric
Duncan but could have processed his bodily fluids 19 days ago, left
on a cruise from Galveston on Sunday, department spokeswoman Jen
Psaki said in a statement.
U.S. concerns have intensified after two nurses from the Dallas
hospital who cared for Duncan contracted the virus, which has killed
nearly 4,500 people, mostly in West Africa. President Barack Obama's
administration is facing sharp criticism from lawmakers over its efforts
to contain the disease at home.
hospital who cared for Duncan contracted the virus, which has killed
nearly 4,500 people, mostly in West Africa. President Barack Obama's
administration is facing sharp criticism from lawmakers over its efforts
to contain the disease at home.
The employee has been self-monitoring since last Monday and has
yet to develop a fever or show any other symptom of Ebola, the
statement said. Still the worker and a companion voluntarily isolated
themselves in their cabin, and U.S. officials are arranging for the ship
to return to the country.
yet to develop a fever or show any other symptom of Ebola, the
statement said. Still the worker and a companion voluntarily isolated
themselves in their cabin, and U.S. officials are arranging for the ship
to return to the country.
"We are working with the cruise line to safely bring them back to the
United States out of an abundance of caution," Psaki said in the
statement.
United States out of an abundance of caution," Psaki said in the
statement.
The person left the country before being notified of the U.S. Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) updated requirement for
active monitoring, the statement said.
The maximum incubation window for the disease is 21 days,
according to the CDC.
for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) updated requirement for
active monitoring, the statement said.
The maximum incubation window for the disease is 21 days,
according to the CDC.
- Reuters
0 comments:
Post a Comment
Disclaimer: Opinions expressed in comments are those of the comment writers alone and does not reflect or represent the views of Stephen Chuka