Texas - Amarillo: patient monitored for potential Ebola exposure - the patient does not have Ebola

[Pathfinder]

Patient Monitored for Potential Ebola Exposure

Posted on Mar 17, 2015

Amarillo, TX ? The City of Amarillo?s Public Health department is actively monitoring a small number of travelers from West Africa for possible Ebola exposure. While they were not symptomatic at their point of entry into the United States, possible symptoms have since presented. As a result, at least one individual has been transported to a local hospital for evaluation. In addition to the evaluation, Public Health officials will monitor these individuals twice a day for 21 days and follow local protocols in addressing health concerns of this nature.

?We have been planning for such an event since September. Community partners such as fire, AMS, police, emergency management, environmental health, airport, animal control and county agencies have been instrumental in proper planning and response,? says Public Health Director Casie Stoughton. ?By following these protocols we?re greatly reducing the likelihood of exposing others.?

Deputy Health Authority Dr. Ako Bradford adds that these individuals do not pose a risk to the general population. As a precaution, these individuals will be evaluated for possible Ebola.

?Remember, the likelihood of contracting Ebola is extremely low unless a person has direct unprotected contact with the blood or body fluids (like urine, saliva, feces, vomit, sweat, and semen) of a person who is sick with Ebola,? Dr. Bradford says. ?Ebola cannot be spread simply by being near someone who is infected.?

For more questions and answers regarding Ebola concerns, visit http://www.texasebola.org/information.htm.

http://www.amarillo.gov/?p=6644

 

[Pathfinder]

Mother, child from Liberia under Ebola monitoring in Amarillo

Posted: March 17, 2015 - 1:33pm
By Kevin Welch

Amarillo health officials are monitoring a mother and child who arrived in Amarillo yesterday from Liberia...

The child has exhibited an elevated temperature in the past four hours and is now in a special isolation room at Northwest Texas Hospital, said Deputy Health Authority Dr. Ako Bradford. The mother is staying with the child.

They haven?t had any contact with people in Amarillo as far as body fluids, the means by which Ebola is transmitted, he said.
...

http://amarillo.com/news/latest-news/2015-03-17/mother-child-liberia-under-ebola-monitoring-amarillo

 

[Pathfinder]

Ebola Evaluation Update

Posted on Mar 20, 2015

Amarillo, TX ? Today the City of Amarillo Department of Public Health received results for both the initial and follow-up labs on the patient under evaluation for symptoms of Ebola.
This test results confirm that the patient does NOT have Ebola. The health department will continue to monitor the patient and other travelers for the duration of the 21-day in-home isolation monitoring period.

If the public has questions, please contact the Public Health Department at 378.6300. For more information about Ebola visit the Centers for Disease Control at http://www.cdc.gov/vhf/ebola/. Direct media inquiries to Community Relations at 378-3549.

http://www.amarillo.gov/?p=6656