Durham, N.C.
— The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is
monitoring a patient at Duke Unversity Hospital who traveled from
Liberia and has developed a fever.
Officials said the patient departed Liberia and arrived Friday at Newark (NJ) Liberty International Airport, which is one of five airports in the nation that has begun screening travelers from Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone for fever and other signs of illness linked to the Ebola virus.
The patient had no symptoms upon arrival and had no known exposure to Ebola while in Liberia, officials said.
The patient, whose age and gender were not released, took a bus from New Jersey to Durham County, according to Dr. Megan Davies, state epidemiologist. The person arrived in Person County on Saturday and developed a fever Sunday.
"Keep in mind, this person did not have symptoms while traveling on the bus," Davies said. "Also keep in mind, this person has not been diagnosed with any specific condition yet."
The person was transferred to Duke University Hospital in Durham “using the appropriate health and safety protocols,”officials said in a statement. The transferred was made in a specialized EMS vehicle with staffers wearing protective gear.
“It is important to note that the patient’s fever could indicate other illnesses,” officials said. “The patient will be evaluated for possible causes of fever, including testing for Ebola.”
A blood sample will be taken to the State Laboratory of Public Health for testing, and the patient will be isolated in a secured unit a t the hospital until results are completed.
Results are expected early Monday morning.
DHHS Secretary Aldona Wos said Gov. Pat McCrory has been in touch with New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie about the patient, and that her department is "committed to an open line of communication and will share with the public" any new information.
The patient is undergoing contact tracing as a precaution.
Read more at http://www.wral.com/patient-at-duke-hospital-being-monitored-for-possible-ebola/14141848/#DdMRrIyHh0hw0Pdx.99
Officials said the patient departed Liberia and arrived Friday at Newark (NJ) Liberty International Airport, which is one of five airports in the nation that has begun screening travelers from Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone for fever and other signs of illness linked to the Ebola virus.
The patient had no symptoms upon arrival and had no known exposure to Ebola while in Liberia, officials said.
The patient, whose age and gender were not released, took a bus from New Jersey to Durham County, according to Dr. Megan Davies, state epidemiologist. The person arrived in Person County on Saturday and developed a fever Sunday.
"Keep in mind, this person did not have symptoms while traveling on the bus," Davies said. "Also keep in mind, this person has not been diagnosed with any specific condition yet."
The person was transferred to Duke University Hospital in Durham “using the appropriate health and safety protocols,”officials said in a statement. The transferred was made in a specialized EMS vehicle with staffers wearing protective gear.
“It is important to note that the patient’s fever could indicate other illnesses,” officials said. “The patient will be evaluated for possible causes of fever, including testing for Ebola.”
A blood sample will be taken to the State Laboratory of Public Health for testing, and the patient will be isolated in a secured unit a t the hospital until results are completed.
Results are expected early Monday morning.
DHHS Secretary Aldona Wos said Gov. Pat McCrory has been in touch with New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie about the patient, and that her department is "committed to an open line of communication and will share with the public" any new information.
The patient is undergoing contact tracing as a precaution.
Read more at http://www.wral.com/patient-at-duke-hospital-being-monitored-for-possible-ebola/14141848/#DdMRrIyHh0hw0Pdx.99
