Shiloh
Editor, Senior Moderator
Source: http://www.baltimoresun.com/health/bs-hs-maryland-ebola-quarantine-20141027-story.html#page=1
Md. to impose home quarantine, transit limits on some travelers from Ebola-stricken countries
October 27, 2014 3:16PM
Travelers to Maryland from three West African countries where Ebola continues to spread could be quarantined at home or barred from public transit depending on their risk of exposure to the deadly virus, according to guidelines Gov. Martin O'Malley announced Monday...
...State health officials will be monitoring for any travelers from the three countries using a computer system that helps track a variety of infectious diseases. Anyone who enters the country from Liberia, Sierra Leone or Guinea will be placed into one of three groups depending on their possible exposure to Ebola...
The high-risk group includes anyone who came in contact with an Ebola patient without wearing protective equipment, including health workers reporting a breach in use of such equipment or something like a needle stick. They will be required to stay home and take their temperature four times a day, subject to daily contact with health officials including scheduled and unannounced visits.
Those at "some risk" ? including those who report contact with Ebola patients while using proper protective equipment ? will be asked to avoid public transportation, large gatherings and long-distance travel. They will also have to take their temperature four times a day and be subject to daily contact with health officials, including in-person assessments.
These travelers will be required to sign agreements explaining the restrictions, and if they don't comply, they could be subject to a public health order requiring them to abide by the guidelines, state health Secretary Joshua Sharfstein said.
There were no such travelers being monitored Monday, Sharfstein said, though he said there have been some in recent weeks and months.
Other travelers who don't report direct contact with any Ebola patients will be considered to be at "low but not zero risk" and will be required to keep in contact with health officials and take their temperature twice daily...
Md. to impose home quarantine, transit limits on some travelers from Ebola-stricken countries
October 27, 2014 3:16PM
Travelers to Maryland from three West African countries where Ebola continues to spread could be quarantined at home or barred from public transit depending on their risk of exposure to the deadly virus, according to guidelines Gov. Martin O'Malley announced Monday...
...State health officials will be monitoring for any travelers from the three countries using a computer system that helps track a variety of infectious diseases. Anyone who enters the country from Liberia, Sierra Leone or Guinea will be placed into one of three groups depending on their possible exposure to Ebola...
The high-risk group includes anyone who came in contact with an Ebola patient without wearing protective equipment, including health workers reporting a breach in use of such equipment or something like a needle stick. They will be required to stay home and take their temperature four times a day, subject to daily contact with health officials including scheduled and unannounced visits.
Those at "some risk" ? including those who report contact with Ebola patients while using proper protective equipment ? will be asked to avoid public transportation, large gatherings and long-distance travel. They will also have to take their temperature four times a day and be subject to daily contact with health officials, including in-person assessments.
These travelers will be required to sign agreements explaining the restrictions, and if they don't comply, they could be subject to a public health order requiring them to abide by the guidelines, state health Secretary Joshua Sharfstein said.
There were no such travelers being monitored Monday, Sharfstein said, though he said there have been some in recent weeks and months.
Other travelers who don't report direct contact with any Ebola patients will be considered to be at "low but not zero risk" and will be required to keep in contact with health officials and take their temperature twice daily...