Patient in isolation in Honolulu hospital, officials say Ebola a possibility

[morningfog]

The Department of Health has confirmed a patient is currently in isolation and undergoing testing in a Honolulu area hospital.

Officials told KHON2 Ebola is a possibility, however the patient has yet to be specifically tested for the virus.

Two major red flags are if the patient has a fever and if he or she has been to West Africa in the past 21 days, officials said. They would not confirm which factors, if any, apply to the patient.

“We’ve asked the hospitals to tell us about is anyone with a travel history and anyone with a fever, and when those things come together, we’ve asked them to be very careful and in an abundance of caution while you’re working, for whatever else might be going on, also make sure you isolate against Ebola, just in case,” said Dr. Melissa Viray, deputy state epidemiologist.

Officials will not provide any details about the patient or symptoms, but confirms the department is working with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

http://khon2.com/2014/10/01/patient-in-isolation-in-honolulu-hospital-officials-say-ebola-a-possibility/

[KamaAina]

1. Oh, for cri-yi

they said the same thing when someone turned up in Sacramento with what turned out to be a non-Ebola virus a couple of weeks ago.

[morningfog]

2. There have been a dozen or so (maybe more)

"suspected cases" throughout the country.

This is how it should be handled. Unlike what happened in Dallas.

[kestrel91316]

3. Correct. When in doubt, pay attention to the part about

where the patient has been in the past month.

[TorchTheWitch]

4. it should also be noted by the press when it's found that the person

didn't have Ebola except they don't. Once again, the press is trying to spread a panic by announcing so many of these "maybe" cases and ignoring it when it's found that they weren't infected after all.

[LostInAnomie]

5. Sure would be a shame if we shut down travel from Africa.