Officials Looking Into Possible Ebola Case In New York City
Sources: Doctor Who Returned From Guinea Went Bowling In Brooklyn On Wednesday
October 23, 2014 5:56 PM
Sources tell CBS 2 EMS crews picked up Dr. Craig Spencer just after noon Thursday.
Sources told 1010 WINS he was rushed from a building on West 147th Street.
“Today, EMS HAZ TAC Units transferred to Bellevue Hospital a patient who presented a fever and gastrointestinal symptoms,” New York City officials said in a statement. “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.”
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.
“A person in New York City, who recently worked with Doctors Without Borders in one of the Ebola-affected countries in West Africa, notified our office this morning to report having developed a fever,” Doctors Without Borders said in a statement. “As per the specific guidelines that Doctors Without Borders provides its staff on their return from Ebola assignments, the individual engaged in regular health monitoring and reported this development immediately.  While at this stage there is no confirmation that the individual has contracted Ebola, Doctors Without Borders, in the interest of public safety and in accordance with its protocols, immediately notified the New York City Department of Health & Mental Hygiene, which is directly managing the individual’s care.”
I think that anyone who has been working with Ebola patients, and God bless them for their selfless dedication, should be isolated for 21 days prior to leaving the Ebola country. Three weeks with zero contact with anyone related to the Ebola outbreak. Only after that should they be allowed to leave the country and get on a plane to Europe, the USA, or anywhere else. At this safe house, they should not be interacting with others who are coming through. In other words, on your 19th day, you should not be in contact with someone who is just beginning his or her 21 day stint. I heard on the news today that a billionaire has donated a huge amount to the effort. Perhaps some money could be directed toward providing housing for health care workers who are in the process of leaving West Africa.
It makes no sense to me that these very bright and clearly very dedicated professionals get on a crowded airplane, go home, spend time in public, interact with family, etc…….and only when symptoms begin do they get isolated.
Complete agreement with #1 isolate these people for the 21 days.