Friday, October 24, 2014

#Ebola hits New York: Doctor who recently returned from treating patients in Africa tests POSITIVE for deadly virus

Dr Craig Spencer, 33, who returned to the U.S. seven days ago after treating Ebola patients in Guinea, was admitted to Bellevue Hospital on Thursday with Ebola-like symptomsDr Spencer returned to the US from West Africa just seven days ago, flying through Brussels to the United States

A doctor who treated Ebola patients in West Africa and was rushed to a New York City hospital with fever and nausea Thursday has tested positive for the deadly virus.

Dr Craig Spencer, 33, who returned to the U.S. on October 17 from...
Guinea, is the first reported case of Ebola in the most populous city in America.

Spencer was admitted to Bellevue Hospital in midtown Manhattan on Thursday and is being cared for in isolation.

New York officials have been making preparations for the possibility for months but some fear the positive test in America's busiest metropolis reveals the nation's continued susceptibility to the growing plague.

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio and Governor Andrew Cuomo assembled at Bellevue Hospital for a press conference following the the positive test results.

'Today, testing confirmed that a patient here in New York City has tested positive or Ebola,' began Mayor de Blasio.
The mayor said that being near someone in places like a subway car does not put someone at risk because 'Ebola is an extremely difficult disease to get.'

'Every hospital in the city is prepared in the event other patients come forward,' said de Blasio.

Governor Cuomo hit on many of the same points, but admitted this case did not come as a surprise.

[We were] hoping that it didn't happen but also realistic,' Cuomo said. 'We can't say this is unexpected.'

Governor Cuomo revealed that four people were considered potentially exposed to Dr. Spencer 'during the relevant period.'

'We're already in contact with the four people,' the governor said.

New York City Department of Health Commissioner Dr. Mary Travis Bassett said those contacts are Spencer's girlfriend and his two friends.

A fourth was the Uber car driver, who is not considered at risk.

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