CDC Says More in U.S. May Be Infected With Ebola

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Monday, October 13, 2014

GoLocal News Team

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed Monday the first case of Ebola contracted in America by a nurse caring for the "Dallas index patient," Thomas Eric Duncan, at Texas Presbyterian Hospital and said that more cases may be coming. 

CDC Director Dr. Thomas Friedan said the nurse tested positive for Ebola and is "being cared for and is clinically stable." 

"We need to consider the possibility there could be additional cases," Friedan said. "I would not be surprised if we see additional cases in the workers who had contact with the index patients." 

"We have to rethink infection control...a single infection is unacceptable," said Friedan, noting that before the "index patient" was isolated, there were 48 contacts that the CDC is actively monitoring, in addition to one contact of the new Ebola patient when she was "potentially infectious." 

Pinpointing Disease Spread

Friedan noted the CDC was investigating how the nurse, who was wearing protective gear while caring for the Duncan, contracted Ebola. 

"We are doing a detailed investigation to determined what may have happened -- specifically regarding isolation, taking off the personal protective equipment," noting in the act of taking off the equipment "they could infect themselves," Friedan said. "[The CDC] will continue to track all the contacts, and work with hospitals throughout the country.  We will double down on training and education.  We're concerned there could be more cases."

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