First ebola patient in US from Liberia

October 2, 2014

The first patient that has entered the United States of America undetected putting the health authorities preparedness to the test. The US health officials and policymakers had been bracing for the eventual patient that would arrive on the shores of US undetected. The patient is qarantined but fear, frustration and the search for his acquaintances. Thomas Eric Duncan remains in this life-threatening condition at a Dallas hospital. He had travelled to the US to visit his significant other and he also came in contact with her five children. The five children who attend four different schools in the area have caused many people fear and have instigated a thorough cleaning and sanitization of these schools.

Ebola symptoms appear between two and 21 days after the virus has infected the host. This indicates a significant window which at which an individual can slip by without being detected. Symptoms include fever, vomiting and diarrhea. This Ebola epidemic has taken the lives of 50% of its infected hosts. It has been emphasized that Ebola cannot be spread through the air but only through contact of bodily fluids, such as blood, tears and diarrhea. Reports state that Center for Disease Control (CDC) and other health officials were have discussed treating the patient with experimental medication.

Duncan had sought care for fever and abdominal pains at a hospital and had sent him home instead of containing the patient. This could have led to the infection of others for the span of two days. It is estimated that for four days he was contagious and not isolated and perhaps came into contact with 20 people, Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings states. These contacts will also be monitored for 21 days which is the longest time for Ebola symptoms to appear and could be confused with common illness. The ambulance crew which transported Duncan and the five children have not shown signs of infection. However, anyone of these contacts have contracted Ebola then the process of searching for relations will have to start again.

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Published: 02 Oct 2014

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