Former Ebola patient Dr. Rick Sacra hospitalized at UMass Memorial Medical Center - laboratory testing negative for Ebola virus

[JimO]

Possible Ebola Patient Isolated at Worcester Hospital

A patient at UMass Memorial Medical Center in Worcester has been quarantined and is undergoing medical evaluation after showing possible signs of Ebola, the hospital confirmed Saturday.

The patient recently returned from West Africa, and while doctors do not suspect Ebola, the patient is being isolated as a precaution, the hospital said in a public statement.

more...

http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/2014/10/04/umass-memorial-evaluates-patient-for-possible-possible-ebola/9WMNQZuGddeHWEFN48eMAM/story.html

[Nika]

Worcester MA Ebola case is Dr Sacra ebola survivor

Unclear as to whats going on here but likely NOT ebola relapse

Dr. Sacra Treated at Worcester, Mass. Hospital

Dr. Rick Sacra, the Massachusetts doctor who was treated for and recovered from Ebola, is in a Worcester hospital because he may be developing pneumonia, the mission with which he traveled to Liberia confirmed.
The University of Massachusetts Medical Center confirmed to NECN Saturday night that Sacra was the patient they were examining for a potential case of ebola.

According to SIM USA, Sacra was taken to a Boston-area emergency room Saturday with a cough and a fever. He was then transferred to the University of Massachusetts Medical Center in Worcester.
SIM quotes Dr. Phil Smith of Nebraska Medical Center, where Sacra was treated for Ebola, as saying it is extremely unlikely that Sacra would have a relapse of Ebola.

..... More

http://www.necn.com/news/health/Dr-Sacra-Treated-at-Hospital-278142391.html

[hawkeye]

Re: Worcester MA Ebola case is Dr Sacra ebola survivor

Physicians believe it is probably not Ebola, but in the interest of safety, are isolating Sacra until confirmation, the statement said.

In an interview Saturday, Department of Public Health spokeswoman Anne Roach said there are no confirmed Ebola cases in Massachusetts and that the department has been working with hospitals for the past several months on preparedness.

http://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/massachusetts/2014/10/04/umass-memorial-isolates-patient-for-possible-ebola/VjAs2jMWZXbk1ievwjNEVJ/story.html

[Pathfinder]

Re: Possible Ebola Patient Isolated at Worcester Hospital

Former Ebola Patient Dr. Rick Sacra Hospitalized

Oct 4, 2014, 10:56 PM ET
By DEAN SCHABNER

Dr. Rick Sacra, a family physician from Massachusetts who survived Ebola, was readmitted to a hospital today with what doctors said appears to be an upper respiratory tract infection.

UMass Memorial Medical Center physicians said they believe it is likely Sacra is not suffering a relapse of Ebola, but in the interest of safety they are isolating him until they have confirmation.

Sacra, 51, underwent treatment at the Nebraska Medical Center after contracting the deadly virus while treating patients in Liberia.

He was released on Sept. 26.

Doctors at the hospital believe he is suffering from an upper respiratory tract infection and not a relapse of Ebola, but they have placed him in isolation, following guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, until they get test results back from the CDC, hospital officials said.

http://abcnews.go.com/Health/ebola-patient-dr-rick-sacra-hospitalized/story?id=25970357

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See also:
SIM missionary American doctor in Liberia tests positive for Ebola - treated at Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha, Neb - virus free, released

http://www.flutrackers.com/forum/showthread.php?t=227167

[Pathfinder]

Re: Possible Ebola Patient Isolated at Worcester Hospital

Former Ebola Patient Under Observation at UMass Memorial Medical Center

Posted: Oct 04, 2014 9:57 PM CDT Updated: Oct 04, 2014 9:57 PM CDT
...
The Nebraska Medical Center called Sacra's condition "a routine respiratory illness."

They said Sacra had been suffering from a persistent cough and low-grade fever for several days, and, "out of an abundance of caution, decided to go to the hospital to have an e-ray performed," according to the medical center.

"Because of his recent battle with the Ebola virus, his immune system is compromised," said Dr. Phil Smith, medical director of the Biocontainment Unit at The Nebraska Medical Center, and one of the doctors who treated Sacra.
...
"Dr. Sacra is in stable condition and being monitored carefully. We're waiting for final test results from the CDC which we expect to receive late Monday," said Dr. Robert Finberg, MD, professor and chair of medicine, UMass Memorial Medical Center, an infectious disease expert leading Dr. Sacra's team of doctors.
...

http://www.myfoxboston.com/story/26706370/former-ebola-patient-under-observation-at-umass-memorial-medical-center

[Drakkonmax]

Re: Former Ebola patient Dr. Rick Sacra hospitalized at UMass Memorial Medical Center

"persistent cough and low-grade fever for several days"

Uhh that could be just about anything, if his immune system is still compromised is it possible zmapp only fights off the infection and does not destroy it totally ? If his immune system is weak its possible virus is still active ? If still active he could have minor levels of ebola back in his blood correct ? How many studies have been done on ebola relapsing ? I cant imagine there is a huge amount of follow-up on released ebola patients in west africa due to them barely being able to even hold the line as it is.

[Pathfinder]

Re: Former Ebola patient Dr. Rick Sacra hospitalized at UMass Memorial Medical Center

"persistent cough and low-grade fever for several days"

Uhh that could be just about anything, if his immune system is still compromised is it possible zmapp only fights off the infection and does not destroy it totally ? If his immune system is weak its possible virus is still active ? If still active he could have minor levels of ebola back in his blood correct ? How many studies have been done on ebola relapsing ? I cant imagine there is a huge amount of follow-up on released ebola patients in west africa due to them barely being able to even hold the line as it is.

"Dr. Sacra received TKM-Ebola for seven days while being treated at The Nebraska Medical Center. Treatment started the day he arrived. Dr. Sacra also received a blood transfusion from Ebola survivor, Dr. Kent Brantly, along with other supportive therapy to help his body fight off the virus."

http://www.nebraskamed.com/article/232/update-condition-of-patient-with-ebola-continues-to-improve

[wordnerd]

Re: US - Texas: Patient tests positive for Ebola in Dallas - traveled from Liberia

Looks like Dr. Sacra is back in the hospital

http://www.cnn.com/2014/10/05/health/ebola-us/

They say his chances of an ebola relapse are low though

http://abcnews.go.com/Health/ebola-patient-dr-rick-sacra-hospitalized/story?id=25970357

[Emily]

Re: Former Ebola patient Dr. Rick Sacra hospitalized at UMass Memorial Medical Center

Dr. Rick Sacra ?Feeling Better,? Doctors Don?t Suspect Ebola Recurrence
October 5, 2014 2:34 PM

[Pathfinder]

Re: Former Ebola patient Dr. Rick Sacra hospitalized at UMass Memorial Medical Center

News Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 5, 2014
Contact: Peggy Thrappas
(508) 793-6570
(774) 317-0422
...

UMass Memorial doctors release information on Dr. Rick Sacra, Third American Diagnosed with Ebola

Officials say no risk to the general public, patients or his caregivers

WORCESTER, MA ? October 5, 2014 ? Today UMass Memorial Medical Center doctors and staff released further details on the condition of Dr. Rick Sacra, who was admitted Saturday morning to the Medical Center in Worcester, Mass. for what appears to be an upper respiratory tract infection.

Though UMass Memorial Medical Center physicians believe this illness is likely not a recurrence of Ebola, they conferred with the Centers for Disease Control and Massachusetts Department of Public Health, and have isolated Dr. Sacra until they have confirmation of his illness.

?Dr. Sacra came to the hospital with a fever and slight cough. Today, he is in stable condition, his symptoms seem to be improving, and he is eating,? said Dr. Robert Finberg, professor and chair of medicine, UMass Memorial Medical Center and UMass Medical School, and a leading infectious disease expert who is leading Dr. Sacra?s team of doctors.

?We have sent blood work to the CDC in Atlanta to rule out Ebola, and we expect to have these results within the next two days.?

Finberg added, ?We exercised extreme prudence and caution when Dr. Sacra first came to the Emergency Department Saturday morning, complaining of upper respiratory symptoms.?

UMass Memorial Medical Center is well equipped to handle specialized infectious disease assessment and containment. According to Patrick Muldoon, president, UMass Memorial Medical Center, for months the hospital?s Ebola Task Force has worked with the CDC and the Massachusetts DPH to develop comprehensive plans for the management of suspected Ebola patients.

Muldoon said, ?I want to reinforce that there is no risk to the general public, our patients or Dr. Sacra?s caregivers. Our Medical Center campuses are fully operational and we are conducting business as usual.?

Dr. Sacra, an assistant professor of family medicine & community health at the University of Massachusetts Medical School, was the third American diagnosed with Ebola. He likely contracted the virus in late August while caring for very ill pregnant women at ELWA Hospital in Monrovia, the capital of Liberia, where he has spent much of his career. Sacra was flown to Nebraska Medical Center September 3 and was successfully treated before returning home to Massachusetts at the end of September.

Medical Center officials will provide an update once CDC results are received.

...

http://www.umassmemorialhealthcare.org/umass-memorial-medical-center/news-release

[hawkeye]

Re: NBC News freelancer in Africa diagnosed with Ebola

Hospital: Former Ebola patient Rick Sacra tests negative for virus after being hospitalized in Massachusetts - statement via breakingnews.com

[Nika]

Re: Former Ebola patient Dr. Rick Sacra hospitalized at UMass Memorial Medical Center

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 5, 2014
Contact: Peggy Thrappas
(508) 793-6570
(774) 317-0422
margaret.thrappas@umassmemorial.org
Twitter: http://twitter.com/umassmemorial



UMass Memorial doctors release lab results on Dr. Rick Sacra
CDC confirms Dr. Sacra does not have Ebola virus

WORCESTER, MA ? October 5, 2014 ? Late this evening, UMass Memorial Medical Center doctors announced that the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has informed them that the laboratory testing for Dr. Rick Sacra is negative for Ebola virus. We are removing Dr. Sacra from isolation, and his physicians are continuing routine care for his upper respiratory tract infection.

- See more at: http://www.umassmemorialhealthcare.o....A2p6y1i1.dpuf

[Pathfinder]

Re: Former Ebola patient Dr. Rick Sacra hospitalized at UMass Memorial Medical Center

News Release FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEOctober 5, 2014Contact: Peggy Thrappas -
...
UMass Memorial doctors release lab results on Dr. Rick Sacra

CDC confirms Dr. Sacra does not have Ebola virus


WORCESTER, MA ? October 5, 2014 ? Late this evening, UMass Memorial Medical Center doctors announced that the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has informed them that the laboratory testing for Dr. Rick Sacra is negative for Ebola virus. We are removing Dr. Sacra from isolation, and his physicians are continuing routine care for his upper respiratory tract infection.


No further information is available at this time. We?d like to remind you that Dr. Sacra and his family are requesting privacy.

...

http://www.umassmemorialhealthcare.org/umass-memorial-medical-center/news-release

[Dani]

Re: Former Ebola patient Dr. Rick Sacra hospitalized at UMass Memorial Medical Center - laboratory testing negative for Ebola virus

That's good, but routine care for an upper respiratory tract infection doesn't involve hospitalization.