Ebola in Sacramento is a possibility which authorities are trying to prevent at all costs right now. A possible case of Ebola in Sacramento has been in multiple reports after Kaiser Permanente South Sacramento Medical Center reported of treating a patient who might have been exposed to the deadly Ebola virus.
According to News10, Dr. Stephen M. Parodi, Kaiser infectious diseases specialist, stated in a news release that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) out of Atlanta will be testing the blood samples taken from the patient for them to rule out the presence of the virus of Ebola in Sacramento.
Researcher Jonna Mazet for emerging infectious diseases at UC Davis said the blood samples were taken at the time the patient is already in isolation.
Mazet said, "They may take some samples from other fluids because Ebola can be transmitted in blood, but it also can be transmitted with saliva and sweat."
After testing of the sample by the CDC, Mazet said results will be available within 48 hours.
According to Huffington Post, the patient has not been identified, and it is still not yet clear as to how the patient could have gotten in contact with the virus.
USA Today reports that the statement from Kaiser Permanente was released Tuesday evening. The confirmation that a patient at its South Sacramento Medical Center might have been exposed raised questions if there could be possible Ebola in Sacramento.
Hospital spokesman Edwin Garcia said that while results won't be available for several days, the patient is being kept in isolation as a precaution.
The statement said, "In order to protect our patients, staff and physicians, even though infection with the virus is unconfirmed, we are taking the actions recommended by the CDC as a precaution, just as we do for other patients with a suspected infectious disease."
It continued, "This includes isolation of the patient in a specially equipped negative pressure room and the use of personal protective equipment by trained staff, coordinated with infectious disease specialists."
The hospital reiterated that the safety of patients and staff has been its priority, and thus prevent possible Ebola in Sacramento.
According to News10, patients and their families at Kaiser South hospital said they were not being updated of the quarantined patient.
While others understood why the information was kept from patients, some have been wondering if Ebola in Sacramento can indeed be prevented by the hospital in case the case was truly Ebola. Others said they are not sure whether the hospital is properly equipped for such a case involving the virus.
Sacramento resident Katie Albert, who had just received treatment at the hospital emergency room said, "Because it doesn't just involve one person. If it gets out of hand, it could affect other people."
There have been several cases of suspected Ebola reported at U.S. hospitals, according to multiple reports, but none have tested positive.
As of the current moment, Sacramento County Health Department officials said they are in contact with both the hospital and the CDC in Atlanta to ensure all protocols are being properly followed and so no Ebola in Sacramento will spread.
The CDHP said in a news release, "The risk of the spread of Ebola in California is low. Any patient suspected of having Ebola can be safely managed in a California hospital following recommended isolation and infection control procedures. Suspect cases of Ebola will be investigated by local health departments in consultation with CDPH."
Along with the possible case of Ebola in Sacramento with this new case being tested, in a previous report by Time, a woman in New Mexico is also being kept in isolation while awaiting her own test results. According to the report, she developed fever, muscle aches, headache and a sore throat after returning home from a teaching assignment in Sierra Leone.
Two Americans are also currently treated for the disease at Emory University Hospital in Atlanta after working with patients in Africa and becoming infected.
Though some patients do recover from the disease, there is still no known cure for the virus.
Symptoms of Ebola include fever, severe headache, muscle pain, weakness, diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain and lack of appetite, according to the CDC. Ebola can reportedly only spread after the symptoms appear.
Ebola in Sacramento might seem far-fetched as of the moment since four countries afflicted by the Ebola outbreak are in West Africa. However, according to CDC, there have been 1,229 deaths from the virus in 2014, and 2,240 confirmed and suspected cases, therefore every precautionary measure must be taken to prevent possible Ebola in Sacramento.
This article is copyrighted by Travelers Today, the travel news leader
