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Ebola: Health care worker tests positive at Texas hospital Ebola: Health care worker tests positive at Texas hospital
(about 1 hour later)
A Texan health worker who treated Ebola victim Thomas Eric Duncan before he died is also infected with the virus, according to a preliminary test.A Texan health worker who treated Ebola victim Thomas Eric Duncan before he died is also infected with the virus, according to a preliminary test.
The worker, whose name was not given, wore full protective gear when treating Duncan on his second visit to a Dallas hospital, an official told reporters. The unnamed worker, who is in a stable condition in an isolation ward, wore full protective gear while treating Duncan, a Dallas health official said.
The new patient has been placed in an isolation ward and is said to be in a stable condition.
If confirmed, this is the first known transmission of Ebola on US soil.If confirmed, this is the first known transmission of Ebola on US soil.
Responding to the news, a top federal health official said there had been a clear breach of safety protocol.
Duncan, who caught the virus in his native Liberia, died on Wednesday.Duncan, who caught the virus in his native Liberia, died on Wednesday.
The current Ebola outbreak, concentrated in Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone, has resulted in more than 8,300 confirmed and suspected cases, and at least 4,033 deaths.The current Ebola outbreak, concentrated in Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone, has resulted in more than 8,300 confirmed and suspected cases, and at least 4,033 deaths.
Sent home by hospital Decontamination
No details of the health worker's identity or position at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital were given, in accordance with family wishes.No details of the health worker's identity or position at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital were given, in accordance with family wishes.
Dr David Varga, of the Texas Health Resource, said the worker had been in full protective gear when providing care to Duncan during his second visit. Dr Daniel Varga, of the Texas Health Resource, said the worker had worn a gown, gloves, mask and shield when providing care to Duncan during his second and final hospital admission.
The worker reported a low-grade fever on Friday night and was isolated and referred for testing, officials said. Preliminary test results were received late on Saturday. The hospital, he said, was still confident that the precautions put in place would protect workers when interacting with patients at the hospital.
A car belonging to the infected health worker has been decontaminated, officials say. But Dr Tom Frieden, head of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), said there had been a clear breach of protocol.
He told US broadcaster CBS in an interview that the CDC would investigate the measures taken to try to keep Duncan alive in its investigation into how the health worker had become infected.
All those who treated Duncan are now considered to be potentially exposed, he added, saying he was "deeply concerned" about the new infection.
"I think the fact that we don't know of a breach in protocol is concerning because clearly there was a breach in protocol."
Mike Rawlings, the mayor of Dallas, said steps had been taken to decontaminate common areas in the patient's apartment complex as well as the patient's car.
"Health officials have interviewed the patient and are identifying any contacts or potential exposures," Texas health care services said.
More tests on the US health care worker are being carried out at the CDC in Atlanta.
'Heroic'
The health worker reported a low-grade fever on Friday night and was isolated and referred for testing, officials said. Preliminary test results were received late on Saturday.
Judge Clay Jenkins, chief executive of Dallas County, said the infected health worker was a "heroic person".
"This is obviously bad news, it is not news that should bring about panic," he added.
Duncan tested positive in Dallas on 30 September, 10 days after arriving on a flight from Monrovia via Brussels.Duncan tested positive in Dallas on 30 September, 10 days after arriving on a flight from Monrovia via Brussels.
He had become ill a few days after arriving in the US, and went to the Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital in Dallas with a high fever.He had become ill a few days after arriving in the US, and went to the Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital in Dallas with a high fever.
But despite telling medical staff he had been in Liberia, he was sent home with painkillers and antibiotics.But despite telling medical staff he had been in Liberia, he was sent home with painkillers and antibiotics.
Duncan was later put into an isolation unit at the hospital but died despite being given an experimental drug.Duncan was later put into an isolation unit at the hospital but died despite being given an experimental drug.
"Health officials have interviewed the patient and are identifying any contacts or potential exposures," Texas health care services said.
"People who had contact with the health care worker after symptoms emerged will be monitored based on the nature of their interactions and the potential they were exposed to the virus."
Some 50 people who had direct or indirect contact with Duncan are already being monitored in case they develop symptoms.Some 50 people who had direct or indirect contact with Duncan are already being monitored in case they develop symptoms.
Screening A nurse in Spain contracted Ebola while caring for patients who came from West Africa. Hers was the first case of transmission of the virus outside West Africa.
More tests on the US health care worker are being carried out at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta. If Ebola is confirmed, it would be the first time the infection is known to have spread within the US.
A nurse in Spain contracted the haemorrhagic fever while caring for patients who came from West Africa.
The arrival of Ebola in Texas prompted the US authorities to introduce screening of passengers from affected countries at airports, starting on Saturday at New York's JFK.The arrival of Ebola in Texas prompted the US authorities to introduce screening of passengers from affected countries at airports, starting on Saturday at New York's JFK.
Passengers from those countries will have their temperatures taken and have to answer a series of questions.
With the numbers of those affected continuing to rise in West Africa, the UN special envoy on Ebola says he hopes that the outbreak can be brought under control within three months.With the numbers of those affected continuing to rise in West Africa, the UN special envoy on Ebola says he hopes that the outbreak can be brought under control within three months.
David Nabarro told the BBC the number of Ebola cases was currently increasing exponentially, but greater awareness would help contain the virus.David Nabarro told the BBC the number of Ebola cases was currently increasing exponentially, but greater awareness would help contain the virus.
"I think we've got much better community involvement [now] which leads me to believe that getting it under control within the next three months is a reasonable target," he said.
Mr Nabarro described the accelerating increase of new cases as "quite frightening".
Ebola deaths: Confirmed, probable and suspectedEbola deaths: Confirmed, probable and suspected
Source: WHOSource: WHO
Note: figures have occasionally been revised down as suspected or probable cases are found to be unrelated to Ebola. They do not include one death in the US recorded on 8 October.Note: figures have occasionally been revised down as suspected or probable cases are found to be unrelated to Ebola. They do not include one death in the US recorded on 8 October.
How not to catch Ebola:How not to catch Ebola:
Why Ebola is so dangerousWhy Ebola is so dangerous
How Ebola attacksHow Ebola attacks
Ebola: Mapping the outbreakEbola: Mapping the outbreak
Have you been affected by the Ebola outbreak? Do you think enough is being done where you live to fight the disease? Tell us your story. You can email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.Have you been affected by the Ebola outbreak? Do you think enough is being done where you live to fight the disease? Tell us your story. You can email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.
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