North Carolina Monitoring Patient With Fever For Ebola
A North Carolina aid worker is being monitored for Ebola after returning from Liberia with a fever.
The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services announced Monday that it is reportedly monitoring a patient at Duke University Hospital after the patient developed a fever on Sunday. The person, whose identity has not been released, reportedly flew from Liberia to Newark International Airport, and then took a bus from New Jersey to North Carolina.
The state's Department of Health and Human services stressed during a press conference Monday that the patient did not exhibit symptoms while in transit from Liberia or from Newark to North Carolina, reportedly only developing a fever on Sunday while in Durham County.
"Keep in mind, this person did not have symptoms while traveling on the bus," state epidemiologist Dr. Megan Davies said at a press conference, adding "Also, keep in mind, this person has not been diagnosed with any specific condition yet."
As of Monday morning, it was confirmed that the patient tested negative for Ebola in a preliminary test. The health department said that although the patient tested negative for Ebola, they cannot determine what may be attributed to their high fever. The patient will remain at Duke University Hospital to undergo additional testing for the next 72 hours.
"As part of our collaborative partnership, Gov. Pat McCrory, as well as the State Emergency Response Team, have been notified and are on standby to respond as needed. Secretary Aldona Wos and NC DHHS staff, in consultation with the CDC and local health departments, are working to ensure that all appropriate protocols are being followed to protect the health and safety of North Carolinians," the state said in a news release on Sunday.