"Houston we have a problem" This just got very real

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

And so it begins....

A health care worker who treated Thomas Eric Duncan, the first person in the U.S. diagnosed with Ebola who later died, has preliminarily tested positive for the deadly virus, the Texas Department of State Health Services said in a statement today.

The health care worker at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital has been isolated since reporting a low-grade fever Friday, the department said. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will conduct further testing to confirm the diagnosis.

"We knew a second case could be a reality, and we've been preparing for this possibility," Dr. David Lakey, commissioner of the Texas Department of State Health Services said in the statement. "We are broadening our team in Dallas and working with extreme diligence to prevent further spread."

http://abcnews.go.com/Health/texas-health-care-worker-tests-positive-ebola/story?id=26135108
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Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

These events are transpiring in Dallas, not Houston. But yes, we've definitely got a problem on our hands... a rather lethal problem.

I live 30 miles west of Dallas Presby, the hospital where Thomas Eric Duncan was treated and eventually met his demise. We are in for some scary times.

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Specializes in Pediatrics, Emergency, Trauma.

:yes: I saw the alert this AM.

I wonder how many other pts this "healthcare worker" was in contact with.

It makes me think of situations where I worked with "healthcare workers" who do not always follow through with precautions; I'm not saying that has happened, but what if "human error" missing a step, taking off PPE incorrectly, not washing hands, may play a part in these new cases?

Who knows what is going to happen; the other shoe will eventually drop.

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.
These events are transpiring in Dallas, not Houston. But yes, we've definitely got a problem on our hands... a rather lethal problem.

I live 30 miles west of Dallas Presby, the hospital where Thomas Eric Duncan was treated and eventually met his demise. We are in for some scary times.

It was a homage to the Apollo 13 space flight.

Houston, We've Had a Problem - NASA's History Office

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.
:yes: I saw the alert this AM.

I wonder how many other pts this "healthcare worker" was in contact with.

It makes me think of situations where I worked with "healthcare workers" who do not always follow through with precautions; I'm not saying that has happened, but what if "human error" missing a step, taking off PPE incorrectly, not washing hands, may play a part in these new cases?

Who knows what is going to happen; the other shoe will eventually drop.

I am wondering if it isn't someone in the ED that first saw him...now the question is....how many patients did those healthcare workers see from patient 0...Thomas Eric Duncan

Then how many people did those people see....

Then how many people that saw the people who came in contact with the ED patient saw people...

Our mobile crowded world isn't made for containing a contagion

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Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

Agree - I think a US epidemic could be a very real occurrence. This possibility should be forcing the CDC and WHO to be looking QUICKLY into developing a vaccine or effective treatment.

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Specializes in School Nursing.

I'm still not overly concerned at this point. The patient came in contact with what, almost 100 people? Only 1 so far is exhibiting symptoms. It does concern me it was a medical worker (who should have been taking better precautions), but 1% transmission rate is pretty containable, imo.

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.
I'm still not overly concerned at this point. The patient came in contact with what, almost 100 people? Only 1 so far is exhibiting symptoms. It does concern me it was a medical worker (who should have been taking better precautions), but 1% transmission rate is pretty containable, imo.

I am not so sure how containable it is.....new papers show it is increasing.

New research from Arizona State University and the University of Tokyo that analyzes transmission rates of Ebola in West African countries shows how rapidly the disease is spreading......Country-specific analysis of transmission rates in Liberia and Sierra Leone showed on average between one and two new cases for every existing case.

“Our analysis of the reproduction numbers of Ebola cases shows continuous growth from June to August 2014 that signaled a major epidemic,” Nishiura said. “Uncontrolled cross-border transmission could fuel a major epidemic to take off in new geographical areas, as was seen in Liberia.”

Rates of transmission increased from June to July in Sierra Leone and Liberia, from 1.4 to 1.7 respectively for every existing case. The statistical analysis is detailed in the paper “Early transmission dynamics of Ebola virus disease, West Africa, March to August 2014,” published today in Eurosurveillance.

https://asunews.asu.edu/20140911-ebola-transmission-rate-research
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My concern is more for the panic and resulting chaos from the panic....Americans are not well prepared to self sustain. Look at Hurricane Katrina, and more recently Hurricane Sandy. With Hurricane Sandy, people were without electricity for a week or so and panicked...That is what worries me.

Regardless, my thoughts and prayers go out to that nurse, her family, and all of her co-workers. I pray that they are able to find comfort and healing in this time of stress and fear.

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Specializes in Geriatrics, Dialysis.

I am 1000+ miles north of Texas in an area that is not by any means a major land/air transportation hub, so the risk of a major outbreak hitting up here is reasonably small. That being said, I really wish the odds of an outbreak in Texas were equally small! Not only for the fine residents of that great state, but quite selfishly for myself and my family. Once this starts to really spread there will be no stopping it, we are simply too mobile a culture for geographical containment to be effective.

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

Regardless, my thoughts and prayers go out to that nurse, her family, and all of her co-workers. I pray that they are able to find comfort and healing in this time of stress and fear.

Amen.

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According to cnn, she was following all precautions. So how in the heck did she get it?!

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