Texas Health Worker Tests Positive For Ebola

Texas Health Worker Tests Positive For Ebola, But That’s No Reason To Panic

DOUG MATACONIS   ·   SUNDAY, OCTOBER 12, 2014   ·   3 COMMENTS

A health care worker who was involved in the treatment of Thomas Eric Duncan, the first Ebola patient to die in the United States, has tested positive for the virus:

DALLAS — A health care worker here who helped treat the Liberian man who died last week of the Ebola virus has tested positive for the disease in a preliminary test, state health officials said Sunday.

Dr. Daniel Varga, chief clinical officer of Texas Health Resources, which oversees Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital in Dallas, told reporters on Sunday that the worker came into contact with Mr. Duncan during his second visit to the emergency room. The person was wearing protective gear when he or she came into contact with Mr. Duncan, although Dr. Varga did not elaborate on the type of contact or the type of job the person has at the hospital.

“This individual was following full C.D.C. precautions,” Dr. Varga said, adding, “Gown, glove, mask and shield.”

Asked how concerned he was that even after those precautions the worker tested positive, Dr. Varga replied, “We’re very concerned.”

Dr. David Lakey, the Texas health commissioner, said: “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.”

The worker, who was not identified, was an employee of Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital in Dallas, where the first person diagnosed with Ebola in the United States, Thomas E. Duncan, died last week.

The health care worker reported a low gradefever Friday night and was isolated and referred for testing. Officials interviewed the worker and were identifying “any contacts or potential exposures,” the statement read.

The preliminary test was done at the state public-health laboratory in Austin and the positive result was received late Saturday, officials said. Other tests will be done by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta.