Worker cared for Liberian man who died of virus in Dallas hospital last week
WebMD News from HealthDay
By Dennis Thompson
HealthDay Reporter
Oct. 12, 2014, (HealthDay News) -- A health care worker who helped treat the Liberian man who died of Ebola in a Dallas hospital last week has tested positive for the virus, Texas health officials reported early Sunday morning.
If confirmed, this would be the first case of Ebola infection on American soil. The Liberian man, Thomas Eric, contracted Ebola in his home country before flying to Dallas in September to see friends and relatives.
"We knew a second case could be a reality, and we've been preparing for this possibility," Dr. David Lakey, the Texas health commissioner, said in a statement. "We are broadening our team in Dallas and working with extreme diligence to prevent further spread."
The health care worker, who has not been identified, was isolated and tested Friday night after reporting a low grade fever. Health officials are working to identify anyone who might have had possible contact with the health care worker, the statement said.
The positive result came late Saturday, but the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will conduct further tests to confirm the diagnosis, according to the statement. However, hospital officials said during a Sunday morning news conference that they are "unfortunately" confident that the diagnosis will be confirmed.
Health officials have been monitoring 48 people who had contact with Duncan while he was infectious, including four people who shared an apartment with him and medical workers who treated him. It is unclear whether the latest patient is one of those health care workers.
Duncan had entered the United States on Sept. 20, apparently healthy and without symptoms of Ebola, the often fatal disease that has been sweeping through three West African nations since the spring. He first developed symptoms Sept. 24 and sought care two days later at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital, but was released from the Dallas hospital. He was taken back to the hospital on Sept. 28 after his condition worsened.
Duncan, 42, had been undergoing aggressive treatment, as well as ventilation and kidney dialysis.
Public health workers have been monitoring 10 people confirmed to have had contact with Duncan after he fell ill with Ebola and became contagious, as well as 38 other suspected contacts. The 10 include several members of Duncan's family living in Dallas and the ambulance crew that transported him to the hospital, officials said.
Meanwhile, U.S. officials have begun entry screening for "general overt signs of illnesses" at five airports for passengers arriving from West African nations hit hard by the Ebola epidemic. Those nations are Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone.
The screenings began Saturday at Kennedy International Airport in New York City. They will begin next week at the four other airports -- Washington Dulles International, O'Hare International in Chicago, Hartsfield-Jackson International in Atlanta and Newark Liberty International in New Jersey.
source : TX Health Worker Positive for Ebola in First Test
