A physician with Doctors Without Borders who returned from
West Africa recently has tested positive for Ebola at a New York City hospital,
the city's mayor confirmed.The doctor developed a fever and gastrointestinal symptoms, the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene said in a statement on Thursday
The doctor has been identified as Craig Spencer, who lives
in Manhattan's Harlem neighbourhood, according to New York City Councilman Mark
Levine.
The doctor reported his fever on Thursday morning, and
Doctors Without Borders said it promptly notified the city health department.
The patient, who returned to the United States within the past 21 days, is being treated at Bellevue Hospital, the health department said. Twenty-one days is the maximum incubation period for Ebola.
Bellevue, a historic city hospital, is one of the eight hospitals in New York state designated earlier this month as part of an Ebola preparedness plan.
- "A person in New York City, who recently worked with Doctors Without Borders in one of the Ebola-affected countries in West Africa, notified our office this morning to report having developed a fever," Doctors Without Borders said in a statement.
- Mayor Bill de Blasio at a news conference early on Friday said "New Yorkers have no reason to be alarmed... Every hospital in the city is prepared in case other patients come forward.""It is our understanding very few people were in direct contact with him... Every protocol has been followed."
- "We're hoping for a good outcome for this individual," he said.
- New York State Governor Mario Cuomo also said that proper procedures are being followed in treating the patient.
- "We have the situation under control," he said. "The more facts you know, the less frightening the situation is."
The doctor reported his fever on Thursday morning, and
Doctors Without Borders said it promptly notified the city health department. The patient, who returned to the United States within the past 21 days, is being treated at Bellevue Hospital, the health department said. Twenty-one days is the maximum incubation period for Ebola.
Bellevue, a historic city hospital, is one of the eight hospitals in New York state designated earlier this month as part of an Ebola preparedness plan.
Source: Al Jazeera...More...
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