264 replies to this topic

[supermom]

9/30/14- So here it comes - not much detail but the fact that it is here outside of ones that had it over there and came here for treatment is more than a bit concerning....

 

Ebola Diagnosed In U.S. For The First Time: CDC

 

 

http://www.huffingto..._n_5909394.html

I wonder if this guy is a missionary. 

 

 

On the bright side- imagine 90% of Dallas gone or unable to work. A lot of people in Folsom would profit from that.  (joking, joking....sarcasm)

[bordercolliefan]

Uh-oh, Patient Zero.

 

I remember reading an account once of the frantic efforts to track down all the contacts of "Patient Zero"--the first AIDS patient in New York City.  And that was sexually transmitted--thus, there were far fewer relevant contacts! 

 

The experts say that with our superior health infrastructure, Ebola could never spread here the way it has in West Africa.  Guess we'll see if that it correct...

[supermom]

Uh-oh, Patient Zero.

 

I remember reading an account once of the frantic efforts to track down all the contacts of "Patient Zero"--the first AIDS patient in New York City.  And that was sexually transmitted--thus, there were far fewer relevant contacts! 

 

The experts say that with our superior health infrastructure, Ebola could never spread here the way it has in West Africa.  Guess we'll see if that it correct...

Where did you read that? 

So far, the only thing I have read that gives American's an edge over Liberia, is a healthier body, and diet helps the immune system to fight it off. I hav enot heard of anything in any form of superior that keeps people from getting it. 

 

If you're gonna get it, youre gonna get it.

The ocean between us and them was the best prevention. 

A clean room was the second. 

But once out there. not much can stop it from spreading- as far as we know

[bordercolliefan]

Well, here's one example:

http://news.national...dicine-science/

Ebola in the U.S.?

So, could the Ebola virus come to the United States? Definitely. Would it spread widely? Unlikely.

"We do not anticipate this will spread in the U.S. if an infected person is hospitalized here," CDC Director Tom Frieden said in a statement Tuesday. "We are taking action now by alerting health care workers in the U.S. and reminding them how to isolate and test suspected patients while following strict infection-control procedures."

American hospitals are adequately supplied with infection-control equipment like gloves, gowns, and masks that will prevent the spread of the disease. American medical care workers—educated by the AIDS epidemic—know how to keep themselves safe while treating sick patients. And the American system of reporting illness would identify a sick patient very quickly, allowing the disease to be contained and controlled.

But it's still in America's interest to control the disease in West Africa, Panjabi said.

"If we respond well to this, we could both impact the epidemic—control it, stop it—but also do it in a way that strengthens the long-term primary care system," he said, which "could protect against future [epidemics].

[bordercolliefan]

Well, so much for our superior health infrastructure! This morning it was revealed that this patient showed up at the hospital days ago--and was sent away because (as the ER doctor said defensively) "his symptoms were similar to what lots of other people who come to the ER have."

Yikes! Shouldn't "recent travel?" be a standard question for individuals presenting with these symptoms? The man just came from Liberia--that should have been a red flag.

Maybe this incident will shine a light on the slipshod, dismissive care often provided in emergency rooms. It's an interesting question whether anyone exposed to the virus in the intervening couple days (before the man returned to the ER) can sue the hospital.

[cw68]

Did the patient reveal that he had just returned from Liberia? Come on, man. He had a responsibility to do so. I haven't read anything on this yet, so pardon my cluelessness.

[ducky]

What cw68 said.  The travel should have been a red flag.  He was sent home with antibiotics days earlier.  I wonder how many people were exposed in the clinic or ER on his first visit.

[bordercolliefan]

Did the patient reveal that he had just returned from Liberia? Come on, man. He had a responsibility to do so. I haven't read anything on this yet, so pardon my cluelessness.

That is a good question. He went to the hospital seeking treatment, so presumably it would not be in his best interest to hide the best clue as to his likely diagnosis. But you never know with people...

[bordercolliefan]

I'd also like to know what his nationality is. An early story hinted that he is a visitor to the U.S., not a resident.  That information disappeared once everyone got all HIPPAA-paranoid...

 

This is a potentially vital piece of information.  Every ER collects name, address, etc.  If he gave an address in Liberia... again, a red flag.

 

We may never know what information the ER staff had or should have gleaned... or, maybe it will all eventually come out.  We'll see. 

[nomad]

Report said "They didn't ask and he didn't tell them." I guess he figured it was no big deal.

[bordercolliefan]

Report said "They didn't ask and he didn't tell them." I guess he figured it was no big deal.

The stupidity of people cannot be over-estimated?

Or is it possible he did have some nefarious intent??

[bordercolliefan]

The man flew from Liberia -- one of the Ebola hotspots in West Africa -- and arrived in Dallas to visit family on September 20, Frieden explained.

 

This is the information that made me think he is a visitor--not a Texas native. 

 

Another question this case raises is where HIPPAA-privacy concerns intersect with protecting people who may have been exposed to this individual.  It would, in fact, be helpful if they published a picture of the person so someone might be able to say, "Oh my gosh, I sat next to him on the bus!" or "That was the guy who threw up in my taxi" or "I shook hands with him during the Peace at church."  As it is, no one really has any idea whether they have been exposed or not. 

[4thgenFolsomite]

he was vomiting in the ambulance as he was being taken to the hospital the second time (the first time, as mentioned, he was released and given antibiotics).  18 people are being isolated right now waiting for symptoms.  I had no idea there were 10,000 Liberians living in Texas!

[bordercolliefan]

I feel so bad for those paramedics.  First responders really do put their lives on the line for us. 

[nomad]

Now the patient's sister is saying that he DID tell them he was in Libeira, And the hospital just ignored that?? Wow.