A potential case of Ebola in Hawaii is threatening the state's residents. A man has been checked into a hospital in Honolulu Wednesday for what health officials said is a potential Ebola case in Hawaii, reported local ABC affiliate KITV on Thursday.
Though the man could be a possible first case of Ebola in Hawaii, he could also be sick with some other ailment.
State Health Department officials said the man is undergoing testing at the Queen's Medical Center, but he has not yet undergone tests for the Ebola virus as of late Wednesday afternoon, reports CBS Hawaii.
According to authorities, they are taking special precautions over the possibility of Ebola in Hawaii since a man in Texas who arrived from Liberia became the first person in the United States to be diagnosed with the Ebola virus.
KITV reports that authorities have not released details about the Texas patient or the hospital where he is being treated.
"We don't know why this person is ill," said Dr. Melissa Viray of the Department of Health regarding the possible case of Ebola in Hawaii. "But because we have concerns regarding Ebola as a possibility, even as a distant one, they are taking all the precautions that are necessary to keep people safe."
"The hospital is being very careful, as they should be, to take precautions making sure the patient is in isolation and making sure the people and the public stay safe," Viray told KITV.
"That being said, it's still an if. This is not a 'for sure' thing," she added.
Meanwhile, Queen's Medical Center issued a statement Wednesday evening as to the potential case of Ebola in Hawaii.
The statement read: "The Queen's Medical Center ... wants to underscore that at this time, the patient's history and clinical presentations do not appear to be consistent with Ebola and the patient may be diagnosed with a number of conditions other than Ebola."
"However, due to the heightened scope of awareness of Ebola, Queen's is taking extra precautionary measures to ensure the safety of patients, physicians, hospital staff, volunteers and visitors. This includes placing the patient in isolation," concluded the statement.
Viray said hospitals across Hawaii have already been briefed by the Department of Health regarding standing operating procedures in the event of a possible Ebola case.
The Department of Health did not specify whether the man, who could be the first person with Ebola in Hawaii, had traveled to or from West Africa in past weeks. They stressed that Ebola is only one of many conditions the patient is being tested for right now.
As for the Ebola case in Texas, the state's health officials are now tracking down anyone who may have come into contact with the Ebola patient. They are also reportedly monitoring a second potential case.
Ebola in Hawaii has yet to be confirmed as the patient in Honolulu is still awaiting test results. According to ABC News, the Ebola virus has already infected more than 7,200 people in Western Africa and more than 3,300 have died in the recent outbreak which began in March. It is believed to be the worst outbreak on record.
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