KANSAS CITY, Kan. —The University of Kansas Hospital said a person who came into the hospital with a high fever and other serious symptoms has been placed in isolation and is undergoing tests.
The patient had recently worked on a medical boat off the western coast of Africa, the region hit hard by Ebola. Officials said the patient is a medic who had been treating patients with a lot of different types of illnesses.
The hospital said that while doctors can't rule out the possibility of Ebola, the patient is at a low to moderate risk. Dr. Lee Norman said many other diseases fit the patient's symptoms.
The patient had been sick on the medical boat but showed signs of recovery after returning to the United States. On Sunday, the patient started to feel worse and came to the hospital.
"He just felt so wiped out that he decided to come in and be seen," Norman said. "Of course he is well informed. Plus he has significant weight loss."
Hospital staff met the patient wearing personal protection equipment and followed the hospital's plan for this type of situation.
"We put on impervious gowns so if there is any blood or fluids it would not get onto our clothes," Norman said.
The patient was taken to one of the hospital's three isolation wards, complete with double doors and negative airflow. The teams of six caregivers assigned to the patient will not treat any others until the patient's diagnosis and treatment plans are complete. They will work in shifts and keep contact to a minimum.
Norman said the patient had fever, nausea, vomiting and dehydration, but has not shown signs of hemorrhaging, which is a common indicator of Ebola.
"The gentleman today has done well," Norman said. He said the improved health is a reason why the hospital thinks the patient has a low to moderate risk. He said typhoid might be another possible diagnosis, but the hospital is taking an abundance of caution.
There are two places in the country that can test for Ebola. Samples will be sent to those facilities and the results are expected back on Tuesday afternoon or evening.
"We'll know a whole lot more by tomorrow at the end of the day," Norman said.
Officials said that regardless of the diagnosis, the patient is in an isolated part of the hospital and poses no health risk to other patients, staff or visitors. The emergency room at the hospital remains open.
The patient took a commercial flight back to the United States and has felt sick for four to five days. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will work with health departments to make sure there is no current risk to the public.
Read more: http://www.kmbc.com/news/university...tient-runs-ebola-tests/29107730#ixzz3G5MhaO31
The patient had recently worked on a medical boat off the western coast of Africa, the region hit hard by Ebola. Officials said the patient is a medic who had been treating patients with a lot of different types of illnesses.
The hospital said that while doctors can't rule out the possibility of Ebola, the patient is at a low to moderate risk. Dr. Lee Norman said many other diseases fit the patient's symptoms.
The patient had been sick on the medical boat but showed signs of recovery after returning to the United States. On Sunday, the patient started to feel worse and came to the hospital.
"He just felt so wiped out that he decided to come in and be seen," Norman said. "Of course he is well informed. Plus he has significant weight loss."
Hospital staff met the patient wearing personal protection equipment and followed the hospital's plan for this type of situation.
"We put on impervious gowns so if there is any blood or fluids it would not get onto our clothes," Norman said.
The patient was taken to one of the hospital's three isolation wards, complete with double doors and negative airflow. The teams of six caregivers assigned to the patient will not treat any others until the patient's diagnosis and treatment plans are complete. They will work in shifts and keep contact to a minimum.
Norman said the patient had fever, nausea, vomiting and dehydration, but has not shown signs of hemorrhaging, which is a common indicator of Ebola.
"The gentleman today has done well," Norman said. He said the improved health is a reason why the hospital thinks the patient has a low to moderate risk. He said typhoid might be another possible diagnosis, but the hospital is taking an abundance of caution.
There are two places in the country that can test for Ebola. Samples will be sent to those facilities and the results are expected back on Tuesday afternoon or evening.
"We'll know a whole lot more by tomorrow at the end of the day," Norman said.
Officials said that regardless of the diagnosis, the patient is in an isolated part of the hospital and poses no health risk to other patients, staff or visitors. The emergency room at the hospital remains open.
The patient took a commercial flight back to the United States and has felt sick for four to five days. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will work with health departments to make sure there is no current risk to the public.
Read more: http://www.kmbc.com/news/university...tient-runs-ebola-tests/29107730#ixzz3G5MhaO31
