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New York City: Doctor (Spencer) tests positive for ebola after return from Guinea- Ebola free, released

C

casey

Active member
Statement from NYC Dept. of Health - http://www.nyc.gov/html/doh/html/diseases/ebola-stmt-nyc.shtml

Today, EMS HAZ TAC Units transferred to Bellevue Hospital a patient who presented a fever and gastrointestinal symptoms.

The patient is a health care worker who returned to the U.S. within the past 21 days from one of the three countries currently facing the outbreak of this virus.

The patient was transported by a specially trained HAZ TAC unit wearing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). After consulting with the hospital and the CDC, DOHMH has decided to conduct a test for the Ebola virus because of this patient?s recent travel history, pattern of symptoms, and past work. DOHMH and HHC are also evaluating the patient for other causes of illness, as these symptoms can also be consistent with salmonella, malaria, or the stomach flu.

Preliminary test results are expected in the next 12 hours.
Click to expand...

More information at http://www.cbsnews.com/news/ebola-outbreak-nyc-doctor-being-tested/ (identifying him as a doctor who worked in Guinea for MSF)
 
Re: New York City: Doctor who's returned from West Africa hospitalized with Ebola-like symptoms

Re: New York City: Doctor who's returned from West Africa hospitalized with Ebola-like symptoms

Doctor who treated Ebola patients rushed to NYC hospital

By Jamie Schram
October 23, 2014 | 2:44pm

A 33-year-old Doctors Without Borders physician who treated Ebola patients in Guinea and returned to New York City 10 days ago was rushed in an ambulance with police escorts from his Harlem home to Bellevue Hospital on Thursday, sources said.

Craig Spencer was suffering from Ebola-like symptoms ? a 103-degree fever and nausea, sources said.

Clad in hazmat suits, FDNY hazardous materials specials sealed off his fifth-floor apartment. Cops blocked off West 147th Street between Broadway and Amsterdam after he was taken to the hospital, witness Oscar Nunez said.
...

http://nypost.com/2014/10/23/nyc-may-have-its-first-ebola-case/
 
Re: New York City: Doctor who's returned from West Africa hospitalized with Ebola-like symptoms

Re: New York City: Doctor who's returned from West Africa hospitalized with Ebola-like symptoms

Source: http://www.nyc.gov/html/doh/html/diseases/ebola-stmt-nyc.shtml


Health Topics A-Z

Statement on Patient at Bellevue Hospital, Oct. 23, 2014, 3:05pm


Today, EMS HAZ TAC Units transferred to Bellevue Hospital a patient who presented a fever and gastrointestinal symptoms.

The patient is a health care worker who returned to the U.S. within the past 21 days from one of the three countries currently facing the outbreak of this virus.

The patient was transported by a specially trained HAZ TAC unit wearing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). After consulting with the hospital and the CDC, DOHMH has decided to conduct a test for the Ebola virus because of this patient?s recent travel history, pattern of symptoms, and past work. DOHMH and HHC are also evaluating the patient for other causes of illness, as these symptoms can also be consistent with salmonella, malaria, or the stomach flu.

Preliminary test results are expected in the next 12 hours.

Bellevue Hospital is designated for the isolation, identification and treatment of potential Ebola patients by the City and State. New York City is taking all necessary precautions to ensure the health and safety of all New Yorkers.

As a further precaution, beginning today, the Health Department?s team of disease detectives immediately began to actively trace all of the patient?s contacts to identify anyone who may be at potential risk. The Health Department staff has established protocols to identify, notify, and, if necessary, quarantine any contacts of Ebola cases.

The Health Department is also working closely with HHC leadership, Bellevue's clinical team and the New York State Department of Health to ensure that all staff caring for the patient do so while following the utmost safety guidelines and protocols.

Bellevue and the New York State Department of Health to ensure that all staff caring for the patient do so while following the utmost safety guidelines and protocols.

The chances of the average New Yorker contracting Ebola are extremely slim. Ebola is spread by directly touching the bodily fluids of an infected person. You cannot be infected simply by being near someone who has Ebola.
 
Re: New York City: Doctor who's returned from West Africa hospitalized with Ebola-like symptoms

Re: New York City: Doctor who's returned from West Africa hospitalized with Ebola-like symptoms

Doctor Quarantined in Manhattan on Ebola Fears
...

By Pervaiz Shallwani
Updated Oct. 23, 2014 3:47 p.m. ET
...
The man, whose name hasn?t been released, called police around 11:52 a.m. to report that he was suffering from a fever and had quarantined himself inside a fifth-floor apartment on 147th St. in upper Manhattan, the official said.

A Fire Department of New York hazardous materials team responded and quarantined the man in an exposure suit and transported him to Bellevue Hospital Center, the official said.

The man?s apartment has been sealed off pending the diagnosis of the patient, the official said.
...
http://online.wsj.com/articles/doctor-quarantined-in-manhattan-on-ebola-fears-1414092846
 
Re: New York City: Doctor who's returned from West Africa hospitalized with Ebola-like symptoms

Re: New York City: Doctor who's returned from West Africa hospitalized with Ebola-like symptoms

Officials Looking Into Possible Ebola Case In New York City

October 23, 2014 4:10 PM
...
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) – Officials are looking into a possible Ebola case in New York City.

Sources tell CBS 2 EMS crews picked up Dr. Craig Spencer just after noon today.

Sources told 1010 WINS he was rushed from a building on West 147th Street.
...
Spencer, who is a physician in his 30s and works with Doctors Without Borders, came back a week ago from Guinea, where he is believed to have been treating Ebola patients.
...
http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2014/10...ng-into-possible-ebola-case-in-new-york-city/
 
Re: New York City: Doctor who's returned from West Africa hospitalized with Ebola-like symptoms

Re: New York City: Doctor who's returned from West Africa hospitalized with Ebola-like symptoms

Doctors Without Borders physician tested for Ebola in NYC

By Ray Sanchez and Shimon Prokupecz, CNN
updated 4:25 PM EDT, Thu October 23, 2014
...
The 33-year-old physician, employed at Columbia Presbyterian Hospital, developed a fever, nausea, pain and fatigue Wednesday night, the official said. On Thursday morning he was taken to Bellevue Hospital in Manhattan for testing.
...
Investigators are taking the case seriously because it appears the doctor didn't quarantine himself following his return, the official said.

The official said the doctor was out in public. Authorities are possibly going to quarantine his girlfriend, with whom he was spending time since his return from Africa.
...
http://www.cnn.com/2014/10/23/health/new-york-possible-ebola-case/index.html?hpt=hp_t2
 
Re: New York City: Doctor who's returned from West Africa hospitalized with Ebola-like symptoms

Re: New York City: Doctor who's returned from West Africa hospitalized with Ebola-like symptoms

As the CDC is reportedly en route, I'd wager this one is not going to turn out to be a false alarm, unfortunately.
That, and the very high pre-test probability.
 
Re: New York City: Doctor who's returned from West Africa hospitalized with Ebola-like symptoms

Re: New York City: Doctor who's returned from West Africa hospitalized with Ebola-like symptoms

The discussion thread is here.
 
Re: New York City: Doctor who's returned from West Africa hospitalized with Ebola-like symptoms

Re: New York City: Doctor who's returned from West Africa hospitalized with Ebola-like symptoms

Patient Placed in Isolation for Ebola Testing at Bellevue Hospital in New York City

By MARC SANTORA
OCT. 23, 2014
...
While the results of the tests will not be known until late Thursday, the health authorities are concerned enough about the possibility that he has the virus to have started to identify and contact anyone who might have come into contact with the man, identified by city officials as Dr. Craig Spencer.
...
Health authorities declined to say how many people that might be. Mayor Bill de Blasio, speaking at a news conference Thursday evening, said Dr. Spencer has given health workers a detailed accounting of his activities over the last few days.
...
?Our understanding is that very few people were in direct contact with him,? Mr. de Blasio said.
...
Mr. Spencer went to a bowling alley in Brooklyn on Wednesday evening, according to a city official briefed on the contact tracing efforts. He took the subway to Brooklyn and a taxi home.

Health workers were working on Thursday night to identify every location Mr. Spencer visited the day before he reported having a fever and find the people he may have had contact with, just in case he was symptomatic earlier than he reported.
...
Dr. Spencer had been working with Doctors Without Borders in Guinea, treating Ebola patients, before he returned to New York City on Oct. 14, according to a city official.
...
Dr. Spencer began to feel sluggish on Tuesday but did not develop a fever until Thursday morning, he told the authorities. At 11 a.m., the doctor found that he had a 103-degree temperature and alerted the staff of Doctors Without Borders, according to the official.
...
Full text:
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/10/24/nyregion/craig-spencer-is-tested-for-ebola-virus-at-bellevue-
 
Re: New York City: Doctor who's returned from West Africa hospitalized with Ebola-like symptoms

Re: New York City: Doctor who's returned from West Africa hospitalized with Ebola-like symptoms

N.Y. / REGION

Patient in New York City Tests Positive for Ebola
By MARC SANTORAOCT. 23, 2014

snip

A doctor in New York City who recently returned from treating Ebola patients in Guinea tested positive for the Ebola virus Thursday, becoming the city?s first diagnosed case.

The doctor, Craig Spencer, was rushed to Bellevue Hospital on Thursday and placed in isolation while health care workers spread out across the city to trace anyone he might have come into contact with in recent days. A further test will be conducted by the federal Centers for Disease Control to confirm the initial test.

more..

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/10/24/n...spital-in-new-york-city.html?smid=tw-bna&_r=0
 
Re: New York City: Doctor (Spencer) tests positive for ebola after return from Guinea

Re: New York City: Doctor (Spencer) tests positive for ebola after return from Guinea

NYC Mayor's Office ‏@NYCMayorsOffice 24m 24 minutes ago

THIS JUST IN: At approximately 9 PM, Mayor @BilldeBlasio will host a press conference with @NYGovCuomo at Bellevue Hospital.
 
Re: New York City: Doctor (Spencer) tests positive for ebola after return from Guinea

Re: New York City: Doctor (Spencer) tests positive for ebola after return from Guinea

Law enforcement sources said the 33-year-old Spencer recently returned from Guinea, one of the West African countries currently battling an Ebola outbreak. He traveled through Brussels, Belgium, and arrived at JFK Airport, law enforcement sources said. He arrived back in the United States on Oct. 17.

NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio said at an earlier news conference that Spencer only had symptoms for "a very brief period of time" and only had contact with "very few" people. He described the patient as "in good shape."

http://abcnews.go.com/Health/doctor...spital-tests-positive-ebola/story?id=26406430
 
Re: New York City: Doctor (Spencer) tests positive for ebola after return from Guinea

Re: New York City: Doctor (Spencer) tests positive for ebola after return from Guinea

Craig Spencer, who was was suffering from Ebola-like symptoms ? a 103-degree fever and nausea ? spent Wednesday night bowling in Williamsburg, the sources said. He used Uber taxis to get there and back.


...

Friend and neighbor, John Roston, 38, said Spencer lives with his girlfriend, Morgan Dixon, and is a ?really nice person.?

A law enforcement source said the two were together after he arrived home from Guinea.

?I believe she is a fiancee,? the source said.

...

http://nypost.com/2014/10/23/nyc-may-have-its-first-ebola-case/
 
Re: New York City: Doctor (Spencer) tests positive for ebola after return from Guinea

Re: New York City: Doctor (Spencer) tests positive for ebola after return from Guinea

[de Blasio]Today, testing confirmed a patient in NYC tested positive for Ebola. There is no reason for NY'ers to be alarmed. It's an extremely hard disease to contract, not through casual contact. New Yorkers who have not been exposed to bodily fluids are not at all at risk. We've been preparing for months; we have prepared and strong protocols; and Bellevue Hosp. is specifically designated for Ebola.

The patient in question was a doctor working with Ebola patients in Africa. He was taken to Bellevue by a special team. We are now tracing contacts and are prepared to quarantine as necessary. There have been reports about this patients movements; we emphasize again that it is difficult to catch. Living near the person or being on the same subway car does not put someone at risk. We're working to ensure every protection is in place.

[Cuomo]: We've been preparing. Hoping it didn't happen, but we were also realistic. We can't say it's unexpected. We've had a full, coordinated effort, resources, drilling - we are as ready as one could be for this circumstance. What happened in Dallas was the exact opposite. Dallas was caught before they could prepare, before they knew what they were dealing with. We have learned from that experience. It was fortunate the affected person was a doctor and was familiar with the possibility/symptoms and he handled himself accordingly. For the relevant period of time, he was only exposed to a very few people, partially because he knew what the illness was all about and he was taking precautions.

I know Ebola can spread fear by the sound of the word. It's not an airborne illness. It's only contracted through bodily fluids. I spoke with Ron Klain. They were immediately sending CDC teams. Sylvia Burwell fully coordinated and reviewed everything we're doing. We're doing everything we need to be doing. I know it's a frightening situation. The more facts you know, the less frightening it is. We believe there are four people he came in contact with during the relevant period and we are already in contact with the four people. We wish the best for the doctor and hope for his recovery. I want to applaud the mayor, thank my team for weeks of preparation, but the proof is in the pudding and today it worked well.
 
Re: New York City: Doctor (Spencer) tests positive for ebola after return from Guinea

Re: New York City: Doctor (Spencer) tests positive for ebola after return from Guinea

[Mary Bassett]: For the last couple of months, we've been working with city, state, and Federal partners. Today we have the first patient with a positive Ebola test, to be confirmed at the CDC lab within the next 24 hours.

This is an evolving situation in which info will continue to come forward, but here's what we know. Patient is presently hospitalized in isolation. Patient is a 33 year old doctor, working with MSF in Guinea. He completed his work on 10/12 and left Guinea on 10/14 via Europe, where he arrived at JFK on 10/17. During the journey home, he was well with no symptoms. When he arrived, he was also well with no symptoms. Being a medical doctor, he checked his temp twice a day. On the 21, he began feeling somewhat tired, but the first actual symptoms displayed were today, sometimes between 10-11 this morning when he experienced a fever and contacted MSF, who rapidly contacted the health department. The process of bringing him to Bellevue began. While he was home, he did leave his apartment. He went on a 3-mile jog, a sign he was feeling well, and he took the subway system, the A, 1, L trains. We're still getting more info. Yesterday, he went to a bowling alley. He was feeling well at that time, other than fatigue.

We are aware that he has been in close contact with his fiancee and two friends. All three of these contacts are being quarantined. The driver of an Uber car is also a contact, but is considered to not be at risk.

Today, when he reported fever, we contacted EMS and he was brought to Bellevue. The test for Ebola was conducted at our public health lab. We are confident that all of the protocols were followed and have worked well.

[Zucker] Bellevue has been preparing for a while. He was brought in in protective gear and immediately brought to the isolation area. All his medical problems are being addressed. It's important to reiterate that you can only get Ebola by being exposed to bodily fluids. He has been in the hospital. His symptoms began this morning.

[Frieden on phone] Our thoughts and focus are with the patient. We'll continue to provide whatever assistance is required. When someone gets Ebola, they become increasingly infectious the sicker they get. The concern is for the HCWs at Bellevue. However, they are fully prepared. Through good luck, we already had a team on the ground observing and reviewing Bellevue's team. We are also sending an additional team, in transit now, to work in partnership with Bellevue. We're encouraged by the transport system.

As was said, there are several individuals who had contact. Those individuals will be monitored for 21 days. I remind people that with Mr. Duncan, even his household contacts who were with him for several days after he became ill did not develop Ebola. It does not spread like the flu or common cold.
 
Re: New York City: Doctor (Spencer) tests positive for ebola after return from Guinea

Re: New York City: Doctor (Spencer) tests positive for ebola after return from Guinea

[Questions are very hard to hear, so just typing answers]

A. Called "The Gutter" bowling alley. He did bowl while he was there. The patient was not symptomatic. His first fever was today. People become infectious as they become sick. Out of an abundance of caution, the bowling alley has closed. We'll be sending a team over to look at the bowling alley. The way people contract Ebola is by being in touch with body fluids from someone who was sick. At the time he was at the bowling alley, he had no fever.

A. We want to protect people's privacy. These are individuals who will be able to opt for a home quarantine. One of the contacts is in the hospital today.

A. The HCWs are using full protective gear. We knew the patient was being transported so they were ready. Transfer was very smooth. He's being looked after by experienced, seasoned HCWs who have been training over the last month. No one has opted out.

A. There is a long-standing isolation unit, one that dates back to the 1990s, when multi-resistant TB was a scourge. This has been converted for Ebola, with a small, dedicated laboratory in a self-contained space. They've worked really hard to put in place all the systems that were needed. They have all the stuff and all the systems in place.

[Cuomo] The HCWs feel equipped. We learned from Dallas. Yesterday, we were in a session that must have contained 5000 HCWs.

A. The patient today developed a fever and had some GI symptoms. These are the symptoms that were consistent with Ebola. Fatigue can be a symptom of many things. The thing to make clear is that the first time the patient had fever is today, and fever is the typical sign of a person developing contagious Ebola.

A. His friends said he seemed well (while bowling). The patient didn't report fever, just that he felt tired.

A. He did attempt to self-isolate. We're still getting clear the amount of time he spent outside his apartment. Our impression is that he was mindful of contact with people and spending the majority of time in his apartment.

A. We have contracts in place for the removal of medical waste.

A. No reason for the tenets in the apartment building to be concerned. We've isolated the apartment; no one will be allowed in.

Eight hospitals in this state will be designated as Ebola care centers. Bellevue is one of five in NYC. There are about 200 hospitals and they are all prepared if someone walks in and presents with the illness. But to get all ready for intensive treatment would be difficult, so we focused intensive efforts on these eight.
 
Re: New York City: Doctor (Spencer) tests positive for ebola after return from Guinea

Re: New York City: Doctor (Spencer) tests positive for ebola after return from Guinea

A. We know he left his apartment. Quarantine would have meant he never left, but he did limit his contact with people. During the time he was leaving the apartment, he had no fever. He was monitoring his temperature twice a day. The second he had a fever, he reported it and cooperated fully, communicated his previous movements and contacts.

He came in very early in his illness. Yes, he had fatigue, but he also went for a 3-mile jog so he couldn't have been that fatigued.

A. What do we know about his whereabouts? We know he went to a bowling alley and took the A/L trains. We know he may have stopped at a restaurant along the way. We are getting more information about all of this, including his Metro card.

About the subway: we've been saying for weeks that people with Ebola are contagious when they're sick. At the time he was on the subway, he had no fever and no problem with his body fluids. He was not symptomatic at that time. He did not have a stage of disease that creates a risk of contagiousness on the subway. It is extremely unlikely - probability close to nil - that there would be any problem with the subway system.

A. All contacts are well. All are in the process of being quarantined. They would not be tested - they are not symptomatic. There would be no reason to test them unless they develop symptoms.

A. He was wearing full protective gear in Africa and was aware of no breach. He has been home since his return.

Thanks all around. Additional updates as info is available.
 
Re: New York City: Doctor (Spencer) tests positive for ebola after return from Guinea

Re: New York City: Doctor (Spencer) tests positive for ebola after return from Guinea

My notes. Please also read Chicagogal's posts above.

Please read from bottom up:


FluTrackers.com @FluTrackers ? 36s 37 seconds ago
de Blasio: Thanks everyone. Conference over. #ebola

FluTrackers.com @FluTrackers ? 1m 1 minute ago
Bassett: Spencer contacts are all well. All asymptomatic. Not testing them at this time.

FluTrackers.com @FluTrackers ? 3m 3 minutes ago
Zucker says he would take subway tomorrow. #ebola

FluTrackers.com @FluTrackers ? 3m 3 minutes ago
Bassett: Says extremely unlikely - close to nil - problem with Spencer taking subway system. #ebola

FluTrackers.com @FluTrackers ? 4m 4 minutes ago
Bassett: Traveled on subway - 2 lines mentioned, bowling, restaurant. Looking at his metro card to retrace his travels. #ebola

FluTrackers.com @FluTrackers ? 6m 6 minutes ago
Zucker: Says #ebola contagiousness has a linear relationship to illness severity.

FluTrackers.com @FluTrackers ? 9m 9 minutes ago
Bassett: Spencer apartment is locked and isolated. Bellevue is 1 of 5 designated #ebola specialty hospitals in NYC.

FluTrackers.com @FluTrackers ? 15m 15 minutes ago
Bassett: EMT and hospital staff knew he was a suspected #ebola case so they were wearing appropriate PPE.

FluTrackers.com @FluTrackers ? 16m 16 minutes ago
Bassett: 1 contact of Spencer is in hospital today. #ebola

FluTrackers.com @FluTrackers ? 17m 17 minutes ago
Bassett: Bowling alley has closed as a precaution. Says can only get #ebola from a symptomatic person's body fluids.

FluTrackers.com @FluTrackers ? 19m 19 minutes ago
Bassett: Doctor did go bowling. Was experiencing fatigue but no fever. 1st fever was today. #ebola

FluTrackers.com @FluTrackers ? 19m 19 minutes ago
Now questions session...can't hear questions...only answers....

FluTrackers.com @FluTrackers ? 20m 20 minutes ago
Frieden: Says to log onto http://www.cdc.gov/vhf/ebola/ for more info. #ebola

FluTrackers.com @FluTrackers ? 21m 21 minutes ago
Frieden: Reminds everyone that in Dallas Mr. Duncan's household contacts did not get #ebola.

FluTrackers.com @FluTrackers ? 22m 22 minutes ago
Frieden: CDC already had team on ground in NYC assisting in #ebola training. Additional CDC team in transit.

FluTrackers.com @FluTrackers ? 23m 23 minutes ago
Dr. Frieden, Director of CDC via phone: Federal gov ready to assist NYC. #ebola

FluTrackers.com @FluTrackers ? 25m 25 minutes ago
lost connection for a minute - did not see last of Bassett presentation... #ebola

FluTrackers.com @FluTrackers ? 25m 25 minutes ago
Bassett: Before his illness patient did travel on subway and other places. #ebola

FluTrackers.com @FluTrackers ? 28m 28 minutes ago
Bassett: On October 21 felt tired. Today October 23 had a fever. Called for help. #ebola

FluTrackers.com @FluTrackers ? 29m 29 minutes ago
Dr. Bassett, NYC health dept: An evolving situation. Patient in isolation. Arrived in NYC on October 17. Has been well w/no symptoms #ebola

FluTrackers.com @FluTrackers ? 32m 32 minutes ago
Cuomo: "Situation under control" #ebola

FluTrackers.com @FluTrackers ? 32m 32 minutes ago
Cuomo: Says #ebola is not an airborne illness. Has spoken with Klain. Have identified 4 people who are contacts of Spencer.

FluTrackers.com @FluTrackers ? 35m 35 minutes ago
Gov. Cuomo: New York has been preparing for an eventual #ebola case just-in-case.

FluTrackers.com @FluTrackers ? 36m 36 minutes ago
de Blaiso: Prepared to quarantine if necessary. NYC has one of the best public health dept in the world. #ebola

FluTrackers.com @FluTrackers ? 38m 38 minutes ago
de Blasio - Says people who have not been in contact with body fluids are not at risk. City is prepared for #ebola situation.

FluTrackers.com @FluTrackers ? 39m 39 minutes ago
Mayor of New York starting #ebola news conference - patient tested positive for #ebola...says "don't be alarmed"
 
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