Fox News and others are reporting that Dallas, Texas may have a second case of Ebola.
According to Fox, a person who came into contact with Thomas Eric Duncan has been monitored and is now showing symptoms of the deadly virus.
No other details were available.
Update: Ebola case #2 — still unconfirmed — is apparently in Frisco, north of Dallas.
FRISCO (CSBDFW.COM) – An afternoon news conference has been called in Frisco, a suburb of Dallas, to discuss a possible second case of Ebola.
The patient claims to have had contact with Thomas Eric Duncan, referred to as Dallas ‘patient zero.’
It is not clear how the patient had contact with Duncan or if the patient was one of the about 50 people being monitored by federal, state and local health officials.
Complete Coverage Of Ebola In Dallas
The call came in shortly after noon from Care Now, 301 Main Street, where the patient was “exhibiting signs and symptoms of Ebola.”
All of the staff at that clinic will now have to be tested. Patients who happened to be there at the same time are being looked at too.
Update: During its press conference this afternoon, the director of the Centers for Disease Control said that very little about the second patient has actually been verified.
CDC: 2d patient doesn't necessarily have Ebola symptoms and didn't necessarily have Ebola contact. Still assessing.
— Sharyl Attkisson (@SharylAttkisson) October 8, 2014
Update:
More details from the Dallas Morning News:
The Department of State Health Services says the Dallas County sheriff’s deputy exhibiting Ebola-like symptoms at a CareNow in Frisco is not among the 48 people under close monitoring.
Frisco officials say the patient claimed to have come in contact with Thomas Eric Duncan, but the state says there was no direct contact between the two men.
“We understand that anyone near the Dallas response will be very concerned about any health issues they experience, and we want them to report those issues so we can check them out quickly,” the state agency said in a written statement.
A Dallas County sheriff’s spokeswoman said the deputy, whose name is not being release, expressed concern about his health Wednesday.
“We directed that deputy to the Dallas County Health & Human Services for care,” spokeswoman Carmen Castro said. “We now wait for further information as medical staff attends to the deputy. “
Sgt. Chris Dyer, president of Dallas County Sheriff’s Association told our colleagues at KXAS-TV (NBC5) that the deputy is not exhibiting classic symptoms of Ebola such as a a high fever. Rather, he said the deputy didn’t feel well and went to see a doctor.
Dyer said that the deputy and four other deputies accompanied Dallas County health director Zachary Thompson into the apartment, most without protective gear.
“…without protective gear…” Just like Judge Clay Jenkins.
Update: The second potential patient has been identified as Sgt. Michael Monning, deputy in the Dallas County Sheriff’s department.
The patient was identified as Sgt. Michael Monning, a deputy who accompanied county health officials Zachary Thompson and Christopher Perkins into the apartment where Thomas Eric Duncan stayed in Dallas.
The deputy was ordered to go inside the unit with officials to get a quarantine order signed. No one who went inside the unit that day wore protective gear.
According to Christopher Dyer, with the Dallas County Sheriff’s Association, Monning said he was feeling sick to his stomach before his visit to the clinic. Dyer expressed concern for Monning and his family.
The CareNow is located in the 300 block of Main Street. Patients are currently being held inside the clinic as crews at the scene examine staff and others inside the building.
“The patient claims to have had contact with the Dallas ‘patient zero,'” according to a statement from Dana Baird-Hanks, a spokeswoman with the city of Frisco.
Health officials said the transportation of the patient was done with an abundance of caution.
“We are being very cautious and are in contact with the health department to ensure we follow proper protocol,” said Vicki Johns, with CareNow. “Our concern is for the safety and well being of everyone in our clinic.”
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