First Ebola Contamination Inside the United States

For the first time, a person has contacted the deadly Ebola virus inside the United States. It is believed that the contamination took place due to a breach in protocol. The victim is a nurse at the Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital, in Dallas. It is said she came into contact with Ebola while she was caring for Thomas Eric Duncan. Thomas Eric Duncan was the first Ebola patient diagnosed in the United States. Due to complications caused by the virus, he died at the age of 42, on October 8. The nurse who cared for him said she had followed protocol. She had worn gloves, a gown, a mask and a shield during her visits. However, it seems there has been a breach in protocol, as hospital officials declare. Blood tests were conducted in order to verify this assumption. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta confirmed the contamination with Ebola, on Sunday. This case is the first known contamination with Ebola inside the country.

The nurse came into contact with Thomas Eric Duncan after he had been placed in isolation. At the moment, she is in stable condition. Texas Health Resource chief clinical officer Dan Varga said the nurse had had “extensive contact” with Duncan. He added: “At some point, there was a breach in protocol, and that breach in protocol resulted in this infection. The protocols work. … But we know that even a single lapse or breach can result in infection”. People who have come into contact with the nurse have also been placed in isolation, for safety measures. Mayor Mike Rawlings said that the hazardous materials unit of the Dallas Fire Department already decontaminated and cleaned the public area close to the nurse’s residence. However, police have restricted the access in that area and have been informing residents about the incident. The hazardous materials unit had also decontaminated her car.

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Nonetheless, such situations are expected to happen. Dr. David Lakey, the commissioner of the Texas Department of State Health Services declared the following: “We knew a second case could be a reality, and we’ve been preparing for this possibility. We are broadening our team in Dallas and working with extreme diligence to prevent further spread”. Even the President was notified about this Ebola contamination case. A White House statement urges federal authorities to ensure further health measures and make sure health care professionals are able to properly follow the protocol for the treatment of Ebola cases.